daisymay Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Hi I think (as much as it pains me) I am going to attempt to introduce just one chicken to my girls. I have only had them 3 weeks so am hoping the 'pecking order' is not too established. does anyone have any tips/experiences etc etc, however hard to read (if that is the case) just so I can finally make my decision before tomorrow (when I am due to collect it). I am quite worried but can let my girls out into their large penned in area and leave the new one in the eglu for the rest of the time. they will only be together at night initially and I am thinking about taking the new one out and popping her back in later when the others are sleeping? Not sure how feasible this is?? Thanks in advance for your posts - everyone on here is always so helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Hi, we have just recently added a 4th hen to our trio. This is now week 3 and more or less things have settled down. At first Saffron the boss of the lot kept going up to her eye to eye trying to stare her out, things have gotten quite nasty at times with feathers being pulled etc. Funny thing is, it was Saff the top of the pecking order that accepted her first, Amber the smallest who was at the bottom of the pecking order still jumps on her back and pulls at her neck feathers. We sat in the garden many a time with the hose pipe ready to squirt anyone who acted badly towards her. The first night she settled behind a pot to sleep so we had to put her in the nesting box, after a few nights they eventually let her roost with them but at the other end! Now they are all laying in the one nest and sleeping together. Bliss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 You might want to read This thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 I guess we had it tough, but the advice i would give is be prepared, you may be lucky and have no problems ... especially if it is a type of chook you already have, but be prepared to separate them if you need to ie separate place day and night... sorry but I wish we had done that, it saves a lot of heartache. I hope all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisymay Posted May 30, 2008 Author Share Posted May 30, 2008 Well, I couldn't do it and came home with 2. I am glad I did as my husband very briefly introduced 2 of the established 3 and we intervened within about 2 mins as the lowest of the pecking order went from little shy chicken to evil girl trying to peck out eyes and tail feathers! I will be keeping them separated and am so glad I got 2! I think 1 would've been too horrible to watch. When is the earliest I can mix them. It is going to be very difficult to keep them apart as I only have one run/hen house and am going to be doing lots of locking in and out for them all. I read about spraying with very very weak vinegar solution and putting them all in together at night. Does it work? Horray though on the positive as hopefully I will get my blue eggs in a couple of weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 I have just added one hen to an established flock. I kept her in separate Eglu but where the others could see and hear her. I made sure that treats were sprinkled along the edge of her Eglu run , so that they could share food, and after a week or so I let them free range together, with me hovering. After half an hour of unpleasantness, they settled down and get on well now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
