Storms and chickens

[WitchHazel]

I currently have three Girls, who get on really well and stick together when they are out free ranging. They all eat simultaneously from the same treat bowl (aol three heads just about fit in together), and we've had no problems at all.

 

I've been wondering about getting 2 more hens, mainly for a bit of variety in the colour of the eggs, but I'm concerned about how this might affect the happy trio that I have now.

 

I;m not worried about the initial skirmishes and hen pecking. That will all settle down. I'm jusy wondering whether it's likely to mean I have a happy band of 5 hens, or will I end up with a couple of cliques.

 

Does anyone have any experience of this?

[Trapper]

WH

 

Do they not say that it is best to buy birds in trio's and that at least the number added should equal the number already housed due to the pecking order regime?

 

Hope that it all works out well what ever you decide.

[superjules]

I have introduced 3 to 3 and then 2 to 6. Each time I have kept the new ones in the eglu and run, within the big run, for 2 weeks, so the old girls can't get at the new ones but they get used to having them around. After that, I've let them out together supervised for up to an hour at a time for the third week, before finally letting them all get on with it.

 

Mine all kind of mingle in together, except at night-time. The 3 who have been here the longest normally take themselves to bed in the big house and the bantams and the skylines snuggle up together in the eglu. That's really the only time there's any real cliquiness.

[bellekatz]

I must admit I didn't have any problems adding 2 to an established threesome. But we did have a large walk in run and the new ones were kept separately in that run during the day to start with. Thet soon became a fivesome, with the bottom of hte pecking order of the three ending up as the bottom of the pecking order of the five! Now we have added 4 more they were definitely 5 V 4 but all is well and I have a ninesome!

[Egluntyne]

I added 4 to 4 with no real problems, but I did it very slowly.

[Olly]

I've just amalgamated 3 and 2, after having them in separate Eglus side by side for four months, with occasional free-ranging together.

 

I was expecting it to be a lot smoother, to be honest - although no blood has been drawn, the smallest chicken gets very badly picked on. She spent most of the first week hiding in the Cube, but now after three weeks things are a bit calmer. When I let them out, they free-range in two separate flocks, though. I'm not sure if this will change, or whether it's just natural pecking-order behaviour.

[WitchHazel]

Gosh, so many different experiences and different outcomes, sounds like it's a lot down to luck of the draw.

 

I can't do anything for the time being anyway. Unless I win the Eglu in the Home Farmer competition of course. I did tell DH that I had entered and would be getting two new chooks if I won.

 

I wonder if he remembered to post my entry?

[moomin]

I would watch him. He may conveniently forget

[BeckyBoo]

It should work, eventually, like you say you'll have to expect the hen pecking. We added 2 to 5, then 4 to 7, then another 4 to 11 and it went alright. We did have a stage where there were different "groups", the bantams stuck together for a while, then the ex-batts all stuck together, but they're all in one big run now and they all mix and match. I couldn't tell you who is top hen although I know who is bottom, and I have one who likes to keep herself to herself. But good luck, and I'm sorry, but I've bagsied the HF Eglu!!

 

mrs B

[happy hen]

Tonight my new 2 who have been here for 6 weeks living first in the conservatory and then the wendy house are in the Eglu with other 3 ...fingers crossed.They have seen each other through the wire and in past week have spent some time in run together but tonight I stood by and watched and they eventually all stayed in the Eglu with some pecking and noise but they have to get used to each other don't they.Not sure if I am brave enough to leave them all together for a whole day tomorrow or to let the little ones out to free range just yet.The oldies seem to discriminate against colour!!! It is definitely the lavender one who is getting pecked the most.

Will I get any sleep tonight or lay awake worrying about them I wonder!!

[Chili]

I too am currently trying to blend my 2 new chooks in with 3 established hens. I am at the free ranging together stage but not brave enough to let them sleep together yet. I think slow and steady is the best way so they really get used to each other

[BeckyBoo]

No, do the sleep bit, it's a brilliant help. They're all dozy, they snuggle up together and end up all smelling the same. It'll really bring on the "togetherness". Make sure you're up nice and early so they can get out into the run or free range early otherwise they might s"Ooops, word censored!" a bit once it's light, but I'd say definitely put them to bed together even if you seperate them still during the day

[Chooks Aloud]

I've added 2 to 3 with no problems at all. They were kept in a run within a larger run for the first day. Taken indoors at night in a box. Then let out to freerange the next day and they put themselves to bed in the eglu.

 

My original 3 accepted them really quickly with only a couple of pecks, nothing major. Mind you, I did stay with them the first day all the time whilst they were in together. Now they roam together and do everything together.

 

Karen