Oh no! I'd never be able to live with myself if that happened - I don't think I'll use the bathtub anymore, at least with the kiddies pools the chickens can stand up the water barely comes up to their butts.
The way I feel at the moment, I think its going to be a very long time until I brave letting Roo free range with that lot! - Midnight is my biggest worry, I just need Lilah to brave giving her a smack or two, Midnight isn't strong at all, but she's sneaky, she gets Lilah by the element of surprise and it works in making Lilah too scared and too confused to fight back - Midnight is only 10 weeks old Lilah could do her a lot of damage if she wanted to - not that I want her to - just need Lilah to realise that.
At a guess, how long do you think it might be until I can sleep them in the same hutch? Although the hutch is one hutch, it is two floors so I can let the chickens (or the ducks) out first, I'd probably hoof the ducks out of the run first and then let the chickens out in the run for a while. I'm hoping to encourage a split between the two flocks but at the moment Pedro and Jellybean are still sticking tight with the ducks.
You can make them do what you want, you know.
It’s your flock.
You are managing them.
When I let my babies out I have a stick that’s about 3.5 feet long.
It’s very thin but sturdy.
I don’t hit anyone with it.
I use it to control.
At most I will tap a bird to simulate a peck.
I also hit the ground with it.
Use it to guide them sometimes.
It’s very effective.
I need something to help me tell the big ones and the bantams I want them to move away from the babies or that they’re being too rough.
I do allow them to peck the babies to teach them pecking order but that’s it.
No relentless chasing, no singling out certain ones to bully.
Angus grabbed two different chicks on two different occasions and I tapped him good with the stick and chased him away.
Cricket has been targeting my little Australorp cockerel so I also gently guide her away or strongly tap the ground so she is distracted from him and moves away.
I believe they see me as the mother of the chicks.
So what I’m saying is...you can also show the ducks and chickens that you don’t like their behavior.
You don’t have to let them do whatever they want.
If you don’t like what Midnight is doing, sneaking up on someone or whatever, scare her away yourself.
Teach Midnight that you don’t like that behavior and YOU are the one in charge.
Instead of waiting for Lilah to give her a couple of smacks, do it yourself.
The humans are the real alphas.
Does that make sense?
what an awful time for you both - Would it not be worth taking her to the vet, I mean couldn't he do something for her? I know its very hard with birds, especially chickens but he might be able to do something? Shes proved herself as being a fighter and with you in her corner you're giving her a fighting chance.
