Pine tar and brittle feathers

Scientist say that solar flares affect human moods & personalities. Stands to reason it would affect animals too. Anybody that knows much about poultry knows that the amount & strength of sunlight has a big impact on our birds. My horse went nuts, my hens were fighting like roosters and my quail almost totally stopped laying, all on Wed & Thur. Everything seemed normal today.

The solar flare concept is interesting. They settled down some but are peck-free. I gave them a big mulch pile to play in and that keeps them a little more busy and I added a higher protein crumble to their food (20%). So hopefully that won't be too high.

I posted the message below in a new thread and didn't get any replies. It is about re-introducing my 3 gals that were separated. Since you all are following my soap opera, I was wondering if you had any suggestions?

As always, thanks for keeping them healthy and me sane!

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Hi-
Following a severe feather pecking ordeal, I moved 3 of the worst offenders to a separate coop. I was hoping to disrupt any behaviors and stop the problem but it did not help either issue. It turns out there were more than those three involved. Since it has been nearly 3 weeks, I thought I needed to re-introduce the girls to the original flock as there is no reason for them to be separated.

Last night, I tried slipping them onto the roost after everyone was asleep. The second they were out of the coop into the run, the 2 groups started fighting like roos: serious jumping, feather puffing, fighting. So I quickly removed them again and am searching for ideas.

My questions are:
~would it make more sense to introduce them one at a time.?

~some folks have suggested keeping them side by side for a while but I don't know how long to it; whether to do it one chicken or 3 chickens at a time; or even how to do it without a crate

I fear that I have caused yet another problem instead of solving the original one.

I am open to ideas!!

Thanks-Kate

You can move the trio into the coop still in the crate(s). After seven days of them seeing each other, just open the doors and let the chickens decide when they want to emerge. There may be some squabbling as they reestablish pecking order, but hopefully, that'll be the end of it!

MrsB

Thanks! I just built a crate in the coop big enough for the three in hopes of a re-entry later this week! I am off so I can observe their behavior more!!

Tonight I saw a sex-link pull out a BR butt feather so hard, she nearly got pulled over. I am down to animal communicator, pinless peepers, and just come to terms with great-laying, bald chickens.

Any thoughts on my remaining options? Starting over is an options suggested by some, but we are really hoping to avoid that as they are pets more than farm animals.

thanks-Kathryn

Terribly sorry to hear of your frustrations...

Habits are hard to break sometimes! I am a little less kind to "problem" chickens than I feel you are, my friend. I do also certainly understand the attachment.

Where did you get your birds?

MrsB

They came from Mt. Healthy. I am slightly less attached than my 7 year old, although she is about done with it too!!

Thanks for all of your help.

Kate

HillsideEstate said:

They came from Mt. Healthy. I am slightly less attached than my 7 year old, although she is about done with it too!!

Thanks for all of your help.

Kate

Click to expand...

You are very welcome.

MrsB