I've given in!

[Alice]

Hope it is all going well, Terry.

[TPeers]

Yeah - ish....

Kiev has decided to be shy today and wouldn't come out - that's fine, she had the choice.... but, there are quite a few of her feathers loose in the ark and run....

I don't know if these were loosened in last weekends fights and have now been shed or if she is pulling her feathers out, which I know can be a sign of bordom and loneliness in birds..... I rather hope the former and it has only been 5 days if you include Sunday when I rescued her!

Apart from that 'little' hicup all seems quiet...

Terry

[TPeers]

Well.. after some discussion with TOH we have decided to put Kentucky in with Kiev. This should hopefully relieve any bordom issues and since Kentucky never fought with Kiev and Kiev was resident in the ark before Kentucky............ hopefully they won't fight!

At some stage over half term we will do the big change around and move Kiev and Kentucky to the big house and Blackie and Marie to the little ark - musical hens isn't in it!

Then slowly move the two big girls back to the big house.......

It's all so complicated!

[TPeers]

Right stage one complete!

Since it was dry today I took my chance and let Mari and Blackie out to free range while I cleaned the hen house and moved it onto fresh grass - then sneaky me I put Hettie and Rosemary into the newly cleaned house and went to clean the little ark.

Having completed that, and reminded myself why I had built the nice, easy clean big house (!) I tempted Marie and Blackie into the little ark with their corn ration.

So Hettie and Rosemary are looking confused at all the space with no bullies and Blackie and Marie are swearing at me when ever I look out of the window at them!

Will leave things be until the weekend now and then think about which hen to move back into the big house and which to leave alone for a few days.

Terry

[yoanbob]

it allways takes time terry, its hard but they'll get there.

[TPeers]

Might be easier if Hettie would come down the ramp on her own rather than having to be forced! Daft bird.

[Headfry]

Hi Terry, aren't they fun?
Your messages have made me smile! keep up the good work!
Poor Kiev and Kentucky!
Girls eh!

[TPeers]

Decicion day - do I move one of the hybrids back?

Since Blackie is top bird and therefore the most likely to attack the others I assume I should move Marie back first.

Advice please!

[TPeers]

Well I've gone ahead and just put Marie back in the big house - Blackie is standing by the wire in the little ark looking all lost and woebegone!

[TPeers]

Aggghhhh!

Moved Marie back on Sunday evening - no trouble at all on Monday so TOH and I decided to put Blackie back.

Big Mistake!

Little Kiev is now missing a large number of her neck feathers and has one visible scratch across her comb - I managed to get her out before too much more happened!

I think she has also received injurys to the top of her head and one ear.

While Blackie obviously started the problem both of the other girls joined in and the worst attacks were from Kentucky, so I can't even put the two together! At one point all three of the other hens had backed Kiev into a corner and were literally taking it in turns to hack at her.

As you can guess she is on her own again in the little ark on the patio where I can hop out and chat with her fairly often.

So - do I now look to rehome little Kiev or what?

There is no way I can attempt to put her back with the others, they just won't accept her and she cowers when she sees them and acts like a target - which doesn't help matters and I'm not sure if I want more birds; even if I get another to be her friend there is no assurance that the new one won't attack her as well!

Please guys I'm at my wits end, advice please!

Terry

[shirlthegirl43]

Oh dear, so sorry it didn't all go well.

If I lived closer I would offer to take the little darling in and get a couple of pullets from someone local to keep her company. However, it is a long way to travel for a chook and I still don't have an ark

Hopefully someone closer to you will be able to help you more.

Maybe if you got a younger chook or a banty she would feel that she is boss of her little run and stick up for herself?

[daisychook]

Hi Terry, it is all difficult I know - we ended up rehoming our Welsummer who is far more contrite in her new environment. We couldnt bear to part with the victim, but I know it is a difficult choice. We have (along with our chick issues) got a buff orpington, and tonight have had to take Marge (the bullied one) out of the run, cos she is bullying the buff (dont she know what its like???)

I think it can be a long hard process, but they should get there in the end. You do end up with an endless stream of one in, one out for a few days maybe a week rota then shifting them all around. In time it may all then sort itself out. I am no expert, but it may helpful, if not an answer!!!

[TPeers]

Shirl - I'd love her to go to a friend but as you say we are a fair distance apart! I'm going to ring Home Farm Fowls next week - Colin and Fee are 'unavailable' this week, and see if they have any ideas - I know they were planning to breed from thier Araucanas so they might be interested in having another and I might be able to trade for an Araucana cross breed which will be a bit more fiesty!

Failing that I might just bite the bullet and get a bantam to keep her company - Silkies are supposed to be gentle.

It's not the route I wanted to go and it complicates looking after them when we are away but what else can I do?

Terry

[shirlthegirl43]

Good luck with it all Terry.

So thrilled that I am considered a friend too Made my day to read that.

I remember my mum getting silkies once and I think they were pretty quiet but sadly mr (or maybe mrs - don't want to be sexist here) fox removed them all from their little run one day before we got a chance to know them much.