My hen sprained her leg two weeks ago and recovered great. I’ve made a fenced area outside our run where the girls (3 total) can all see each other to prepare for reintroductions. Last week I let her “friend” out with her, who immediately attacked her. I also feel she wasn’t ready.
After a couple days to recover and more time in the separated area, she showed that she was actually ready to hold her own when the other came close so I knew she was feeling well again. Today I supervised a visit with snacks and she actually dominated the other chicken. I then put our other chicken with her as they’ve been calmer and she dominated her as well. It was not immediate both times, more “uh, wait I didn’t remember you here a second ago” reaction.
I was so scared she would be completely at the bottom and suffer terribly to get back with her pals, but now I’m a little worried she’s going to really fight and cause a stir for the other two.
I guess my question is, how far is “too” far. So far her fights are grabbing their wattles and not letting go for dear life until I separate them. The one (who is her size) runs away from her now. The other (who is bigger) puts up a good fight, but also clearly doesn’t want to fight. I separate them whenever she attacks and if she got too aggressive it was right back in the separate area for her.
Hoping that her assertiveness is at least a good thing in some way?
Thanks!
After a couple days to recover and more time in the separated area, she showed that she was actually ready to hold her own when the other came close so I knew she was feeling well again. Today I supervised a visit with snacks and she actually dominated the other chicken. I then put our other chicken with her as they’ve been calmer and she dominated her as well. It was not immediate both times, more “uh, wait I didn’t remember you here a second ago” reaction.
I was so scared she would be completely at the bottom and suffer terribly to get back with her pals, but now I’m a little worried she’s going to really fight and cause a stir for the other two.
I guess my question is, how far is “too” far. So far her fights are grabbing their wattles and not letting go for dear life until I separate them. The one (who is her size) runs away from her now. The other (who is bigger) puts up a good fight, but also clearly doesn’t want to fight. I separate them whenever she attacks and if she got too aggressive it was right back in the separate area for her.
Hoping that her assertiveness is at least a good thing in some way?
Thanks!
