Yesterday Jackie suggested that she take both Topaz and Honey together as integrations can be easier with two rather than one and they would be familiar company for each other while being separated from her girls.
I didn’t want to let Honey go. I feel more protective of her as I know Topaz could hold her own with big girls but am not sure Honey could.
Last night I gave it a lot of thought and discussed it with my husband. It would be a better start for the two girls to stay together. I am just not sure if I can part with Honey. Honey is my oldest girl, now in her fourth year and we have been through a lot together. I call her my little Honey Bunny and am very attached to her. I would miss her funny little side to side run towards me and her constant chatter.
I have to do what is best for all the girls though and so I had another chat with Jackie this morning. We decided that she would take both girls to start with but at any sign of a problem I would take Honey back. If the big girls go after her I would take her back straight away.
We thought that instead of separating her in my run she could have the separation with Jackie instead, Jackie said she could have a holiday with her and Jackie may even get to have some bantam eggs. Even if she just takes a few days or a weeks break with Jackie it may be enough to bring her down a peg or two and may break the feather pulling. Equally it may not and I may just have to have her back and accept her pulling from fluffy bottoms which although bad it’s not as bad as necks and heads.
We have decided to trial it and see how it goes. Nothing is set in stone and I can take her back at any time. Also Jackie is only five minutes from me and we have the Easter break coming up. I can pop in at any time and see how the girls are doing. Jackie may end up getting fed up of me!
Honey Bunny
I thought I should take some close ups of Honey
Such a sweet girl
It’s such a shame that such a sweet girl has started pulling feathers like this. I do hope a break will work and that I can have her back with my flock again. It’s going to be a work in progress for a while. I must admit I shed a few tears over her this morning.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
It will be fine. Don’t beat yourself up over it , you have to do what is right for the young girls. it will be good for me as well as I was undecided if I should get new girls or not.
This will make my mind up.
Thank you so much.
Are they eating the feathers they pluck?
If so, perhaps a week of boosting their protein intake might be able to stop the behaviour.
They are not eating them and they have plenty of protein. I give them a handful of sunflower hearts every day and have given them treats of fish and sometimes scrambled eggs plus digging for worms for them. I know this isn’t a protein problem and don’t want the habit to spread.