James H Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 chciekns like to be in small groups for safety among each other.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 We had exactly the same situation when we lost Lola, and bought Daphne as a new companion. Phoebe seemed quite happy on her own, but couldn't stand the sight of the new arrival Daphne - however after a week or two of vicious attacks (Phoebe ) they tolerated each other. Now 4 mths on I would actually say they are friends, and we now love Daphne (she was a bit highly strung at first and had a dandruff type dry skin complaint, not her fault - but equally not hugely enderring! Sorry Daph). So I would say persevere, and she will soon be part of the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 thanks for that,...the comments are giving me confidence in that they'll be friends soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James H Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 i wouldnt if I were you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 as for the pecking - it doesn't look nice - but, trust me, it will settle down after a week if you leave them to it - nowt to worry about unless copious amounts of blood appear (often - a nicked comb can look worse than it is!) keep us posted, Phil Aww, thanks Phil, I know you've been away - hope you had a great time You're right - the pecking is getting less now between the 2 big hens. The 2 cochins we bought today are seperate from the big girls for the moment as they are only 13 weeks. things are settling down a lot in my little lot. There are still very minor spats but no harm done and all pretty harmless. Even Arrietty isn't getting much bad treatment and seems to be getting on well enough with all the rest. She has got her act together and doesn't even try to go for corn or food or treats when it first arrives. She doodles about in the background and polls up later, when all the rest have finished and lost interest. So I just make sure there is enough for some to be left over for her. I still haven't put Georgie in again; when I tried it she attached everything in sight really badly so I decided to wait until the rest are up to 20 odd weeks by which time at least they will be a similar size to her (or probably bigger). I do however have Liz in solitary confinement because she suddenly decided to pluck feathers out of everybody else. She was really obsessed and causing a load of hassle with it yesterday. So I've put her in the little run by herself (inside the big run) and am awaiting some bumpa bits which I've ordered and should be here by Thursday. Its a right complicated situation - Georgie has the garden to run in, 6 girls have the big run (Georgie can see them and menace them through the wire) and now Liz in the little run, inside the big run, getting frantic becos she can see the others but can't get out to be with them. Actually shes not frantic now, she seems to have accepted it and is concentated on digging massive holes - perhaps she's looking to tunnel her way out. Oh, and theres Reggie and Ronny the rats who live in the bush. Their time is limited as I've ordered a couple of bait boxes that are chicken proof. I don't like killling animals, and I don't like poison, but I can make an exception for rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I like the names you have for the rats Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 sad to say, but I hope they will be ex-rats before too long! Mindy you, as I think I've said before on the forum, when you live near the marshes and the fields rats are a fact of life. They are combining at the moment so the rats will be coming out of the fields. I jsut get sooo annoyed when they have the brass neck to go and feed from the chicken feeders when the girls are there! I don't mind buying food for the girls but I'm blowed if I'm going to finance families of sleek, well fed rats. and I don't want my neighbours complaining to the council or I'll really go off on one .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I can sympathise, I hate rats too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
