Integration oddities or normal behavior?

[vantain]

Giving pinless peepers a try. So far, she hates them. She’s only had them on for about 15 minutes.

 

[NatJ]

Hmm. I wonder if you could try Daisy staying with the little ones in the larger run. Then you could let Miss Misbehaving have the smaller run instead of the jail box. If you think Daisy is totally safe with the little ones, that might be worth a try. Then when Gweneth rejoins, she'll be the new guy!

This is exactly what I would advise right now.

As a long-term thing, you may have to keep the blind chick and the mean hen separated permanently. You could get rid of one, or keep one in an isolation pen, or keep the chickens split into two groups so one can be in each group.

 

[aart]

Giving pinless peepers a try. So far, she hates them. She’s only had them on for about 15 minutes.
View attachment 2181866

That might even the odds with the blind chick.

 

[vantain]

That might even the odds with the blind chick.

So far, it’s working.

 

[vantain]

Almost two hours with the pinless peepers. So far, there is peace! Here they all are within feet of her while she dust bathes.

 

[aart]

So the blind baby can find the feed and water ok?

 

[vantain]

So the blind baby can find the feed and water ok?

Yes. She seems to know the location, which I don’t change. She gets to the waterer by feeling for it with her beak, then follows the tank down to the tray. Same with the feeder.

 

[vantain]

The peepers seem to be affecting Gwyneths ability to drink water. She cannot get into the fount tray to drink with those in. I gave her a bowl of water, but she has ignored it so far.

 

[aart]

The peepers seem to be affecting Gwyneths ability to drink water. She cannot get into the fount tray to drink with those in. I gave her a bowl of water, but she has ignored it so far.

Maybe dip her beak in the bowl?

 

[vantain]

This is just getting crazy. The peepers helped SO MUCH. Gwyneth was able to be out with everyone and was well behaved. The only issue with her is the water issue. Hopefully she will figure that out soon. It’s possible she got water from one of the two bowls I put out for her. I’m not watching them constantly.

Daisy...sweet mothering Daisy...has been in a nesting box for the last two hours. She’s grunting when anyone gets near. Is this being broody now? She hasn’t laid an egg in about two weeks, and has been molting for a few days. Feathers are everywhere. I pick them up frequently, because the chicks are eating them.

This integration thing is exhausting.