how long will it take?

[mr darcy]

Penny's first day in the big girls' run, and they are being moderately horrid to herI had intervene to start with as they all jumped on her the bloody thugs! now they are just goung up to her now and again and giving her a peck but as long as she stays away they more or less ignor her. IHow long will this nasty thing go on for do you think? i'm going out in a minute with more feeders and water bowls so that she will get something to eat, I'm watching for blood drawn, if so I'll take action...do I have to get a cock now after all or will they settle down? it's interesting that my 'kindest' hen (Gypsy) is the worst offender for bullying, scarlet is just very scarey to look at but doesn't actually do alot of bullying, so this has taught me that gypsy who is lowest hen has decided she might be able to upgrade her status, and Penny can be the lowest from now on, god they're horrid little beasts!!!

[RichmondHens]

It may take a few days but they will settle eventually. As long as no blood is drawn then leave them to sort themselves out in their own time. It often looks worse than it actually is.

As it happens I've got two cocks today who have lived perfectly harmoniously together for the last 6 months, beating hell out of each other. Don't want to have to separate them but if it looks like one is going to kill the other then may have to - sigh.

[mr darcy]

It may take a few days but they will settle eventually. As long as no blood is drawn then leave them to sort themselves out in their own time. It often looks worse than it actually is.

As it happens I've got two cocks today who have lived perfectly harmoniously together for the last 6 months, beating hell out of each other. Don't want to have to separate them but if it looks like one is going to kill the other then may have to - sigh.

one of them must have told the other something really rude!!
I slept in this morning till 8am (gets light at 7am)and worried that Penny would be just a gory morsel in the still closed chook house, but no, she was hiding her head a nest box keeping very very quiet! when the ohers rushed out she rushed towards me for a cuddle! I gave her a cuddle then pushed her out thru the hatch with the others, none of them said a word to her. I watched for a while but then saw Biscuit actually let her peck beside her so methinks all will be well within the day...

[MrsC]

I hope so, sure it will be. It does look nasty though when they start.

[mr darcy]

everything fine! she's still a bit alone,poor old chook but not attacked, they just completely ignor her, so she comes and sits with me instead!!

[Nicos]

Not bad eh???-I'd have thought it'd have taken longer!! Well done!

[mr darcy]

Thankyou! i'm getting the hang of it now!!!