debbie Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hi-ya I found some chickens for sale at Bell Plantation garden centre, they sell all kinds of Poultry. They are only about 30 mins away. So it looks like I'll get them tommorrow They have Ambers,Rangers,Suffolk Noir and Suffolk Blacktails. I googled Ambers and they are a creamy colour am I right ? I think they are all hybrids, which is good. Has anyone got any advice on these breeds for me please. DH said why can't we just pop them in together and let them get on with it. I explained that we should indroduce slowly, seperate quarters to start with etc. I am right arn't I ? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 It really depends on the nature of the individual chickens Debbie. Some are fine 'thrown' in together, others will need to be separated. You could try putting them all in the eglu/house together when it is dark, but be up early to separate them in the morning. I personally would separate them first and let them see eachother for a while, then let them free range together with lots of treats for distraction. Good luck with the newbies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 You're right, Debbie - tell your OH that chickens are territorial "pack" animals a bit like dogs, and can be equally fierce in defence of their territory - he may then understand why you can't just bung them all in together! That said, they'll probably be fine - I've been left with a single hen on a couple of occasions, and in both cases found that the resident girl was happy to have new friends. As Christian says, try popping the newbies into the eglu after dark - there may be a bit of jostling and squawking, but they are usually too docile to get really aggressive. But you will need to keep them separate during the day for about a week until they get to know one another - dividing the eglu run using canes or a mesh panel works well and is quite easy to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Putting them in at night is definitely the best way to do it, then they all wake up together. You 'could' just try them and see, but be on hand to break up any battles. Or you could let them free range together. There will naturally be a few pecks, which even putting them next to each other won't really solve, it just depends on the nature of the chickens. I got my chickens in 2 batches, so had to introduce 2 newbies to 2 established hens. I asked my aunt for advice who has kept chickens for years and years, and she said that she had tried the 'separating' method, but hadn't really found any difference in the amount of pecking, but to observe in case things got really nasty. We didn't have any problems - maybe 2 days of slight pecking then they settled down. Things to make sure are that they are all a similar size, so none get bullied, and to make sure there are enough feeding and water points so they can't stop one chicken getting any food. Hope you get some nice ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie Posted March 21, 2008 Author Share Posted March 21, 2008 Thanks for the replies My eglu is in a walk in run 6ft x 9ft I could partition it off length wise or I have a little wooden shed that could be attached to old run that came with eglu orginally, and it cold be positioned near to their aventual home. My thinking of using the walk in run is that the new girl/girls will already know where home is and they won't be confused on changing location although it would be close by. I can put the little shed in the run on their side. Only problem being is me getting the food and water in their. As Tuppence will need the side with the door opening so she can free range while indroductions are going on. Now I'm boring you so I'll end now.............except to say.............Tuppence is in the kitchen with me today to keep her company..............can't leave her........can I ............no housework getting done........lol ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I think it's wonderful that you're planning getting friends for Tuppence, debbie. Having gone through a nightmare introduction last autumn, I would suggest the separation idea is a good one, to start the introductions off gradually. I should be getting 2 (or 3???) new girls in a couple of weeks so I'm using the old eglu run, within my walk-in run, to separate the areas. Ambers look lovely. I have a Gingernut Ranger, a Suffolk Blacktail and a Suffolk Noir. I know you shouldn't, but the Blacktail is my favourite girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie Posted March 22, 2008 Author Share Posted March 22, 2008 Well we're home and have two newbies. It was like being a kid in a sweet shop, I picked out two lovely Suffolk Blacktails. They were in the run together over there and I couldn't seperate them could I I've put them in the old Eglu run next to walk in run. Tuppence has come back to life by Bok Boking at them and strutting her stuff. They are drinking and eating well already. I will take pictures and hopefully get them posted tomorrow, I'll have to work out how to do it. Couldn't wait to tell you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Yay! You won't regret it, debbie. Suffolk Blacktails are lovely. Looking forward to pics. Any names yet? My Scully took a while to accept my new two, but like Tuppence it jolted her out of feeling sorry for herself. You won't forget Penny, but it will be exciting to get to know the new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Wonderful news. What will you call them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie Posted March 22, 2008 Author Share Posted March 22, 2008 MedusA They are lovely girls, such a great colour too. One is a couple of weeks older than the other but they are great friends. Its a shame the weather is so horrid. I did think of you when I them brought home. No names yet. It will take me a while. I hope they settle soon. I will keep you updated on progress, hope they go in shelter tonight, it might be a torch jobby. You are right, I will never forget Penny, but I'm glad that Tuppence and me will have another family to look after and love. Many thanks XXX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...