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Hi 👋 I am trying to introduce 2 new approx. 18week pekin bantams to my existing flock of 5 smaller slightly younger Pekin bantams (10-16 weeks). The hens in the existing flock are smaller than the new hens so the 2 new hens are dominant - they have been overly bossy, guarding the food etc. I introduced them for a week before combining, have two feeders/waterers and everything seemed a bit tense but ok - normal pecking order stuff. By night 3 the new hens started roosting early, pecking any hens that entered straight out of the cube and guarding the door so no other hen would go in! I read I should try re-introducing the new hens one at a time over a couple of days. I have separated one in the run today, the other one left with the flock does seem less bossy and eventually settled in the cube tonight after some squabbling but without kicking out any of the smaller hens. Is this the right approach - does anyone have any other suggestions??? Thank you in advance!

Help needed. I have 4 Pekin Bantams around 5 months old. To me they look in between a hen and a rooster and I'm having trouble sexing them. Probably as I am a novice keeper. Can anyone help with advice?

Hi all, I’ve been lurking on this forum since 2012 & after 2 children, 2 house moves, a job change & much MUCH research, am finally in a position where my chicken dream looks like it could become a reality. OH is on board, we’ve designed our new build garden to ensure it can accommodate a cube (pref. Mk1) with a walk-in run, & I’ve been in contact with local Pekin bantam breeders (we primarily want them as pets) and feel as clued up as you can ever be before getting new additions!) As we live in a new build, we have close neighbours on either side & at the back, so out of courtesy spoke to them all last year to make sure they were on board. 3 had no issues, one had a couple of questions re. noise & smell but said not enough to pay heed to the idea, just that they wanted us to be aware. From reading on here & researching, it seems that good husbandry should manage most smells, and generally a trio of Pekins shouldn’t be much noisier than 2 under 4s or a family dog; both of which we already have with no complaints 😂 Anyway, since speaking to the neighbours last year, one had now moved & the newbies are very much NOT on board with our chicken idea 😳 we spoke last week & she said they will attract rats (her main issue) smell, be noisy & that she doesn’t want to look out of her bedroom window & see a ‘monstrosity’ (her words) of a coop. Their house is behind ours so our gardens are back to back. She asked why we can’t just get guinea pigs instead... Is it all over? Is there anything I can do/say to alleviate her worries? Should I give it all up & as she suggests just get a trio of cavvies instead?! Feeling so disheartened now but don’t want to cause a rift with neighbours.

Hi all, I’ve been lurking on this forum since 2012 & after 2 children, 2 house moves, a job change & much MUCH research, am finally in a position where my chicken dream looks like it could become a reality. OH is on board, we’ve designed our new build garden to ensure it can accommodate a cube (pref. Mk1) with a walk-in run, & I’ve been in contact with local Pekin bantam breeders (we primarily want them as pets) and feel as clued up as you can ever be before getting new additions!) As we live in a new build, we have close neighbours on either side & at the back, so out of courtesy spoke to them all last year to make sure they were on board. 3 had no issues, one had a couple of questions re. noise & smell but said not enough to pay heed to the idea, just that they wanted us to be aware. From reading on here & researching, it seems that good husbandry should manage most smells, and generally a trio of Pekins shouldn’t be much noisier than 2 under 4s or a family dog; both of which we already have with no complaints 😂 Anyway, since speaking to the neighbours last year, one had now moved & the newbies are very much NOT on board with our chicken idea 😳 we spoke last week & she said they will attract rats (her main issue) smell, be noisy & that she doesn’t want to look out of her bedroom window & see a ‘monstrosity’ (her words) of a coop. Their house is behind ours so our gardens are back to back. She asked why we can’t just get guinea pigs instead... Is it all over? Is there anything I can do/say to alleviate her worries? Should I give it all up & as she suggests just get a trio of cavvies instead?! Feeling so disheartened now but don’t want to cause a rift with neighbours.