![\"I](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/i_started_with_separating_honey.jpg\")
<\/a>I started the day with Honey being separated from the rest of the flock<\/p><\/div>\n
A little later this morning my husband said that he had just seen Topaz pull some feathers from Butterscotch’s breast. That clinched it for me. They can both be separated together.<\/p>\n
![\"Topaz](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/topaz_and_honey_are-now_separated_from_the_rest_of_the_flock.jpg\")
<\/a>Topaz and Honey are now separated from the rest of the flock<\/p><\/div>\n
I know there is a chance that they may pluck each other but it seems that Butterscotch is the main target for both of them. I think that is because she is still moulting a bit at a time, so long after the other girls have finished, her loose feathers and pin feathers are just too tempting.<\/p>\n
At least this will give her a chance for her pin feathers to open and Topaz and Honey will be company for each other which makes me feel\u00a0better\u00a0about the separation.<\/p>\n
![\"Butterscotch](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/butterscotch_looking_shabby.jpg\")
<\/a>Butterscotch is looking really shabby<\/p><\/div>\n
Barley laid her egg first thing this morning followed a little later by Emerald. Butterscotch went in to lay her egg and a bit later Toffee wanted to lay. She got quite agitated because there is now one less big nest box and she doesn’t like the little ones.<\/p>\n
Eventually she must have got desperate and decided she would have to share with Butterscotch.<\/p>\n
![\"Toffee](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/toffee-goes_into_the-nest_box-with-butterscotch.jpg\")
<\/a>Toffee goes into the nest box with Butterscotch<\/p><\/div>\n
She laid her egg straight away and a few minutes later Butterscotch got her egg laid too.<\/p>\n
Topaz doesn’t seem bothered by being on the other side but Honey misses being able to run to me. Every time I go to either gate into their part she is there. It makes it difficult for me to get in without her getting out.<\/p>\n
When I went in to do the lunch time pick up and give the girls some apple my husband distracted her with a dandelion leaf while I slipped through the gate.<\/p>\n
Later in the afternoon I washed all the dishes and filled the water bowls with fresh water. While doing this Honey slipped past me through the gate. I decided to finish what I was doing and then deal with getting her back in. In the end the fact that she wants to be with me made it simple. I opened the gate to come back out and she slipped back in. Once I was back in the main run I could almost see her wondering how that had happened!<\/p>\n
I gave them the bedtime corn which is easy enough to throw through both sides of the run and the girls on both sides scratched happily afterwards as usual.<\/p>\n
I checked on them at quarter past seven and the main flock were in the chicken shed while Topaz and Honey were still out.<\/p>\n
![\"Like](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/the_girls_leave_a_gap_once_more-for_honey_and_topaz.jpg\")
<\/a>Like last time the girls have left a gap where Topaz and Honey would usually be.<\/p><\/div>\n
To my surprise at half past seven Topaz went in followed by Honey.<\/p>\n
![\"Topaz](\"http:\/\/www.carolschickens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/to_my_surprise_at_half_past_seven_honey_and_topaz_put-themselves_to_bed.jpg\")
<\/a>Topaz and Honey put themselves to bed<\/p><\/div>\n
I crept in and closed the door. I couldn’t believe it had been that easy. What a long way we have come from the days when the girls wouldn’t put themselves to bed.<\/p>\n
The first day has gone really well and I think both flocks are happy enough with their space. I think they will be quite happy like this for a while and and am I hopeful that this will work. It’s been a good first day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Over the last week we hadn’t seen Topaz pulling any feathers and the girl’s necks don’t appear to look any worse. However we have seen Honey pulling feathers every day. I saw her pull a bunch of feathers from Peaches … Continue reading