Elderly cat breathing difficulties when purring

[Laura & CTB]

I have decided that this year I am going to get a couple more girls but am trying to decide the best time of year to do it....

 

....I know you're all probably gonna shout NOW! and I'd agree except for one thing

 

How much noise is there likely to be while they're eyeing each other up from the two sides of the seperated run - I have visions of lots of squawking going on at 4am when they get up and spot each other - the neighbours plus CTB who works nights would not be impresssed. So I'm thinking that from that point of view surely it would be better to wait until September ish when they will get up at a more civilised hour?

 

Or am I wrong and there's not that much noise?

 

.......but in September there may not be that many POL's around

 

 

Arggghhh - dont know what to do - advice please

[Olly]

ANY time of year is a good time to get chickens! you expected that answer, didn't you.

 

I would say now rather than later because as the days get shorter, you'll have less time to see them (I don't know if you are at home during the day, but even if you are, the daylight hours are much less and the weather is worse). This isn't just about the pleasure of hen-watching, it's also about checking on behaviour, healthy, bullying etc - all much easier in the summer.

 

Mine shouted for about a day when I introduced some new ones, but after that the noise wasn't too bad except when I went out with treats. You could keep them shut in the Eglu/coop till a more civilised hour, if you're worried about that. If the noise is the only thing deterring you, then I'd go for it.

 

Now - what sort of chickens are you going to get?

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't say the noise from intros is significantly worse than their everyday stuff after the initial furore settles.

 

I'd get them now!

[WitchHazel]

It depends what types of chickens you want.

 

Many/most of the pure breeds will only have started laying fairly recently, so POLs are usually only available from end of July onwards.

 

If you want something in particular, it can be a good idea to find your breeder NOW and put yourself on their waiting list. Even if they don't have a waiting list, you could ask them to reserve you a POL at the time you choose.

 

There has been such an explosion in chicken keeping recently that some of the more popular breeds and breeders are having trouble keeping up. Wernlas has closed their waiting lists for several breeds now, as they already have a waiting list that will take them the rest of the year to satisfy.

[Laura & CTB]

Thanks for the advice. I only want two more hybrids and have already checked on availability for end of June and both are available then.

 

Stupid me hadn't even thought of shutting the eglu door until reasonable o'clock

 

I'm at work during the day and get home about 3pm so from that point of view it would make more sense to get them while there's still plenty of daylight left to watch them

 

hmmmm...... decisions, decisions

[WitchHazel]

I think that the best time to get new birds is "Now".

 

Whatever time of year it is.

[Tessa the Duchess]

I would leave it until the weather becomes nicer and more stable (if it ever does ) I imagine that introducing new chooks means a lot of careful watching and wading in with the broomstick if things get out of hand, I would much prefer to do this in good weather rather than pouring rain. I am also hoping to add 2 chickens to my 'flock' but the more I read about pecking and bullying the more nervous I get

 

Tessa

[*mummy_hen*]

Get them now

[Laura & CTB]

Standing out in the rain doesnt bother me and strangely enough I'm not too concerned about the pecking/bullying aspect - I've already got an "Ooops, word censored!"nal of peck rings, bumper bits and ukadex spray to hand from having to deal with Prada's anti social habit in the past ( thankfully just about stopped now) !!

 

I guess if introductions were that horrendous no-one would be doing it - especially more than once

[Tessa the Duchess]

Oh, in that case I would get some NOW

 

Tessa

[daj198]

I recently introduced a new hen and got woken up at 5.30am as I put both eglu runs next to each other to get them used to each other- a big mistake! Moving them apart solved this but if you are splitting the eglu run using bamboo canes, you obviously can't do this. The squarking stopped after about a day and a half, there is still some pecking going on when they free range together but it has calmed down loads and very quickly.

 

I think it works well at this time of year, but be prepared to get woken up really early for a couple of days. But think of the fun you'll have with the chooks! It's worth it...

[syed_king12]

now is a good time you got more selection and more breeds to join your 2

[Jane 20]

We got three new girls last Friday - they slept with our two older girls that night but I left the door open and woke up at 4.30 5.00 and 5.45 am by the noise from our existing two. Ever since then I have closed the eglu door, there is a bit of scuffling but they seem OK when I let them out in the morning and they are quiet

[redhotchick]

I've already got an "Ooops, word censored!"nal of peck rings, bumper bits and ukadex spray to hand

 

Have you got extra feeders/drinkers too?

[Laura & CTB]

Have you got extra feeders/drinkers too?

 

might have!

 

Might have a temporary wooden chicken house big enough for two as well

[Egg Lou]

Sounds like you are aready set up to go and had no intention of waiting

 

Not that I know anything yet but from what I read here there doesn't seem to be a "bad time" to get more girls.. as every chance seems perfect timing!

 

Best of luck with new girls

[Laura & CTB]

Sounds like you are aready set up to go and had no intention of waiting

 

 

Actually it was CTB who made the house on a rainy afternoon a while back - "I'm sure you'll want it one day" he said and I do keep tripping over it every time I go into the spare room

 

and I had a feeder/drinker pre eglu (in my enthusiasm to buy chook supplies). so it's not all as pre arranged as it might sound.!!

 

Thanks for all the comments though, think I've decided