Welcoming new ex-batts...to the ASBO mob

[bluemoon]

I know this might be the daftest idea you've ever heard, but I've never had ex-batts so please don't laugh. BUT, I've heard that the farmers leave the radio playing in the battery sheds as it helps to keep the hens calm, what about popping an old one with them, if they're all ex-batts they'll be used to it from the farm and it might help relax them.

Told you it was daft.

[frias]

My old and new ex-batts seemed OK at first then one got broody and became very aggressive the same as Lady T. I was happy to let her sit in a broody coop in the end just to keep her away. She also seemed to get one of the others to help her but once she was away the others all settled down together. I'm only hoping that when she's raised her chicks (I gave in and got her some eggs) she'll not go back to her old ways.

[Glutton4...]

From my limited experience, I'd say keep the bully in isolation for a week so that she's a stranger when re-introduced to the flock. If that doesn't work, I'd isolate her for another week. Cruel to be kind sort of thing. Sad though isn't it?

[Hashette]

Doesn't sound daft at all Bluemoon athough I bet they'd bicker over which station to listen to! Isn't it odd, though, how they actually seem to find comfort in things that they subconsciously remember from that hell hole? We bought a small bag of layers' mash to welcome the new girls, so that they had something they recognise as being their normal food whilst we introduce the greenery and decent stuff - they didn't get a look in, the old guard fell on it and demolished it as if they hadn't eaten for a week.

Good luck Frias - fingers crossed that the isolation works and motherhood mellows her

A week of isolation? Yikes. I managed up to 4pm yesterday before I cracked and couldn't stand the yelling. Whilst Totty wasn't around we had calm. Well, more like mutual contempt, but I'll settle for that.

Back to work for me today - she's got an hour to prove she can be nice, otherwise it's back to the can for her