And the feathers fly !!!

It looks like a cute dance at first. Then is turns wild. Both hens drew blood. Uma2 bled from her ear. Lacey bled from her comb. Uma2's clever dodge was to hide her head beneath Lacey. Hmmm? Now where did she go?

I broke it up and doctored their wounds. Uma2 and the other two new girls slept in the egglu with the run gate closed. Lacey slept on top of the egglu. peering down at the open door.

All day I kept them separate. Lacey was working herself into a state wanting to get at Uma2. When it was almost dark, I opened the run gate. The 2 new girls ran in to be with Uma2. Lacey did not realize the gate was open so she continued her patrol atop the run and again slept above the egglu doorway.

This morning I was afraid I would find 2 beat up hens. But apparently Uma2 is the winner. She is literally 'ruling the roost'. Lacey hops out of her way, but then goes on to chase the other new ones, who are smaller but not afraid. More on them later.