- Apr 7, 2013
- 26
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Hi all,
We rescued a ~3 year old Buff a few weeks ago from a neighbor because she was being consistently bullied (I have a feeling that it went on for quite a while without being dealt with). She had a huge scab on one of her wings that we have tended to that has finally gone away, and the feathers are starting to regrow. We have kept her in her own coop/run while she heals, and have her periodically in the front yard where the other 3 girls can free range semi nearby (supervised, and for short periods of time so they don't pick up on the fact that she's hurt).
The new girl is very skittish, and I'm concerned about the best way to introduce her & move into the permanent coop with the other 3 girls after she is 100% healed. The 3 existing girls are red sexlinks, and are about the same age as her.
My biggest concern is thinking that her skittish demeanor (if she stays that way) will elicit more bullying behavior toward her.
Any ideas of the best way to handle would be great. The coop that she will be moving into with the other 3 girls isn't big enough for the wire dog crate we have, so I'm hoping to deal with the behavior challenges as much as possible out in the yard before moving her.
Thanks!
We rescued a ~3 year old Buff a few weeks ago from a neighbor because she was being consistently bullied (I have a feeling that it went on for quite a while without being dealt with). She had a huge scab on one of her wings that we have tended to that has finally gone away, and the feathers are starting to regrow. We have kept her in her own coop/run while she heals, and have her periodically in the front yard where the other 3 girls can free range semi nearby (supervised, and for short periods of time so they don't pick up on the fact that she's hurt).
The new girl is very skittish, and I'm concerned about the best way to introduce her & move into the permanent coop with the other 3 girls after she is 100% healed. The 3 existing girls are red sexlinks, and are about the same age as her.
My biggest concern is thinking that her skittish demeanor (if she stays that way) will elicit more bullying behavior toward her.
Any ideas of the best way to handle would be great. The coop that she will be moving into with the other 3 girls isn't big enough for the wire dog crate we have, so I'm hoping to deal with the behavior challenges as much as possible out in the yard before moving her.
Thanks!
