I don't know what to do!!!!:(

[di]

Just back from an arvo at the lottie & I am desperate as to what to do with Marigold!She is so not wanting to be in the new run/coop with Dandelion & the babies,but when I tried putting her with the others it was as I'd expected!They literally all jumped on her,pecking at her head,when she managed to break free they lined up & each gave her a good head peck as she made her escape!
Andi'll go mad if I ask him to build another run/coop...and obviously she'd get lonely on her own anyway...but right now I see no other option!I really think if I'd left her much longer with the others that they'd have killed her!
This was all supposed to be such a wonderful experience,but it's all just one thing after another!!!Should be enjoying our new babies,but just want to give up & cry!!!
Any ideas?...and the first person to suggest a new coop may suffer the wrath of Andi!!!!

[Nicos]

maybe leave her in with Dandelion and the babes overnight- as if introducing a new chook??
I can't see her harming the babies to be honest- and there's no way you can leave her with the others.
what does she do when with the chicks???

[di]

She's just been pacing frantically up & down the run wire....as if desperate to get out!
Dandelion popped out for a bit(I think only cos a chick fell out & couldn't get back in...I've now put up a better ramp)Marigold was fine...looked interested but didn't touch,but munched on some grass with Dandelion.(I promise I'll post some pics later...need to get kiddies changed & another trip to check on what's what!)
It's hard to tell whether Dandelion doesn't like her in the coop or if it's just she's a home bird & wants to be back in the mite shed...had a good spray today,so that's not an option!

[Nicos]

I'd leave them together- when she goes to bed one of the chicks may tuck itself under her wing- and she will most likely enjoy that!

I wonder if she's ready to lay an egg???...just a thought- cos I got my first one today off the gals who were broody up until last Tuesday/Wednesday.Might be a good idea to tuck a small area off with a bit of cardboard for her to hide under/behind just in case!( perhaps in the run if there's no room in the coop area)

tis a bit like blind leading the blind I'm afraid- but until someone else suggests something......

[matthew2riches]

She may be thinking of laying again. Just keep them together. At the end of the day, she started so she ought to see it through and finish lol!

Chickens are stupid at the best of times!

[RichmondHens]

I'm going to totally contradict others' advice and say put Marigold back with the main flock. Yes, there will be some bullying as the pecking order is re-established, but it WILL sort itself out in a few days, honestly. PM me if you want :-)

Hang in there!!

[Nicos]

How are they all doing???...was thinking about them last night!

[di]

Thanks Nicos...you weren't alone!!!
Well,I went back up there before tea,to see how things were(before reading any posts/advice...so I'm taking the girls lead)...Dandelion & Marigold were both in the run,laying side by side,Marigold looking calm for the first time in ages!I threw them some corn,which they both ate whilst still sat down,until a chick jumped out & scared Marigold away!...I told you she's a wuss!!!!She did go on to have a little look at one of them & Dandelion was fine about it,but kept an eye.
I really don't think the bullying would calm down,despite normally being by far the biggest hen,Marigold has always been bullied a bit,think it's only been because her sis got brave & stood up for her a bit that she survived as long as she did!
Anyway...couldn't stay up there as long as I'd hoped...Daisy,poor thing,ran straight into an open gate & cut her eye quite badly...so twas a trip to A&E as soon as Andi turned up with the car...she's gone to school with the most amazing black eye Bless her!
Did manage to get a few pics before it happened...hopefully I can put up more than two?...looking at that pic of Marigold...she really has lost a lot of weight!.

[di]

...and not wanting to leave the bullies out...here's the gang!!!...love them really!

[Nicos]

Phew- things will be fine now!!

I've got Betty sitting on 8 eggs ( 2nd clutch since Xmas) and she too lost loads of weight the first time- this time we're standing over her watching her eat and drink after lifting her off the eggs- she'd stayed put for 3 days- no food,water nor poop...mad or what????

Aww, bless- you'd never had thought that a handful of chooks could cause all that stress...and poor Daisy too!!

kids and chooks..who'd have 'em????

[Flummery]

Oh dear, I hope Daisy is recovering well. There's probably a lot of street cred to be got from a black eye!

[RichmondHens]

You poor thing, what an evening!

Don't worry about M's weight loss, they all lose while brooding, but will put it back on again. She will probably moult (or partially moult) too by the way.

[di]

Thankyou for your Daisy wishes...they've got an after school club tonight,so don't know how she's been,but I made them promise to call if she was in too much pain,so sure she's doing fine....I've almost rung a few times,but have been brave trusting Mummy!
All still seems well with the chicks...Dandelion is most defiately mummy,don't quite know what Marigold makes of them???But they were pecking up chick crumb right where she was & she made no objections.One tried to snuggle under her wing when it started raining,but she had that wing pinned down so firmly,no chick was getting in!!!
My low mood was lifted though by Dandelion...I threw in a few bits of breadroll for the two of them,Dandelion looked like she was snatching it away from the chicks,all for herself,but she broke it into crumbs & dropped a few by each chick...even walking to the other side of the run to make sure Little "Miss" explorer got some!

[SarzWix]

(((((hugs))))) Di, really glad things seem to be settling down Glad Daisy is in one piece too, albeit a little bruised. Hopefully your roller coaster car will stay still long enough for you to catch your breath...

[Suechooks]

Now I want to hatch some again! Trouble is only 1 of mine has ever gone broody about a year ago!
So glad you're feeling happier today.