4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[riane]

Ok, so we are hoping to move house in a few weeks. At the moment I have an Eglu with 2 chickens. BUT I would like a cube with six chickens when we have moved.

Would you move the girls first keep them in the eglu and then move them into the cube, get them settled and then introduce the 4 new girls. Or would you establish the 4 new girls in the cube and then move Rita and Mavis into the cube after a few weeks. Or something else?

[Egluntyne]

I have done a few "intros"now and I have found it not too stressful to have them in separate accommodation, very close to each other so that they can see hear and smell eachother, and close enough that they can share sprinkled treats.

 

I think getting them used to eating together is half the battle.

 

They will square up to each other through the bars.

 

After about 10 days, when you have time to supervise, let them free range together.

 

I have found each time that I have done this, that thee will be half an hour of truly horrible behaviour. This is where you wade in with a broom to separate any really nasty fights.

 

You can then let them all bunk up together if it seem harmonious, or repeat it for a couple of days, before you slip Rita and Mavis into the cube at night.

 

I was terrified the first time I did intros, but it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting.

 

Good luck.

[stoice]

I had been told that introducing new birds to old ones on neutral ground will reduce squabbles as no-one has sussed the best spot in the house. Not tried it, but if you upgrade to the cube at the same time as bringing in the new birds, that may make it easier. Just a thought. Correct me if I'm wrong, new to this sort of thing!

(Maybe keep the eglu on standby!)

[moochoo]

I've also heard that having a new house in a different location reduces introduction problems. as long as you've got a spare eglu if you have to separate them. I'd put them all in together and see how it goes.

Edited May 30, 2008 by Guest

[poachedegg]

An interesting thread - we are due to get our Cube soon, so going along the thinking of neutral territory - would we be better leaving our present girls in the Eglu and then when we get new girls put everybody in at the same time to the new Cube?

[chelsea]

I have done a few "intros"now and I have found it not too stressful to have them in separate accommodation, very close to each other so that they can see hear and smell eachother, and close enough that they can share sprinkled treats.

 

I think getting them used to eating together is half the battle.

 

They will square up to each other through the bars.

 

After about 10 days, when you have time to supervise, let them free range together.

 

 

Completely agree with the above. I was expecting real problems and worry with introductions - but it went all ok without a hitch. I really think the above method works the best without any major squabbles or pecking. I think taking your time and patience is the key.