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

[craftyhunnypie]

THe man we had our Maran & Welsummer off a few weeks back, now has some buff orpingtons. I'm very tempted to go & get one - it's literally just down the lanes from me. Hubby really wants an orpington!

I'm just a bit worried what I'd do with it when I got it home - like all by myself. I presume if I shut it in the shed for half an hour so it knows thats its home, it would be alright then to be let out with the others. There is only one laying out of the new hens at the moment. Plus, I do have alternative accomodation in the back garden (eglu & cube) if there is too much fighting - I can't see that happening though! So should I ?

 

Emma.x

[The Dogmother]

Probably best to read this thread Emma http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25886, you'll need to introduce carefully.

[Egluntyne]

I agree.

 

Introducing one to a large group can be tricky.

[..lay a little egg for me]

Oooh, I think there's quite a risk if you let her out after only half an hour she will scarper off back down the road to her old home if she can. Especially your other girls will give her a hard time for being new. One of our neighbours did not keep her new chooks in for the advised 5 days when she got them and one ended up over a mile away, so your potential new one could easily go back home I reckon.

 

Take Egluntine's advice and introduce very carefully... I would anyway!

 

I can well understand your temptaion to get a Buff Orpington, though, they are lovely!

[beach chick]

wot they said above, I've kept mine in for 5 days before the great wide world was open to them.

also, our breeder told us that Buff Orps are not very good layers, which is why they are expensive - dont know if that's true, have read otherwise, but it was enough to put me off this time around...

[The Dogmother]

You're right, they aren't good layesr and inclined to brood, which is why they're kept as broody hens.

 

Personally, I'd not upset the equilbrium in the flock, but it's your call.

[Gallina]

Eggs? Why would a Buff Orpington need to worry about producing eggs when she has feathers like this?

 

I'm quite smitten by my Buffie -- and she does lay an egg most days, albeit a very small one. She is extremely friendly and cuddly.

[The Dogmother]

She's gorgeous Gallina.

 

My old chicken lady - Pearl used to have several that she used for brooding - they were so friendly.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Gallina, your Buff Orpington is a work of art! Gorgeous girlie!!!!!

 

I do agree with Egluntine, craftyhunnypie, that introducing one hen to an established flock is taking a big chance.

 

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Christian]

That really is one stunning chicken Gallina, I am very

 

Crafty, I would think twice about introducing one to an established flock, but the lure of a Buff Orpington is very tempting

[The Dogmother]

I've always introduced two or more hens at a time, hence my ever growing flock

[superjules]

Why not just get two Emma? I'm sure you have the room!!

[craftyhunnypie]

Well I chickened out, thanks to your kind words! I have experienced good & bad introductions in the past. After a long thought, we thought we didn't want to upset the balance at the moment. Bumble & Boon will be coming out of the eglu in 3 weeks, when they are about 12 - 13 weeks old. They are nearly as big as the other girls now & the others have been free ranging round the eglu run & have fallen in love with Bumble the cockerel! he he

The red eglu will then be free. But I do have eggs in the incubator at the moment due to hatch 2 weeks today. However on candling yesterday, I am unsure of fertility & my candler went kaput! So I will re candle them Friday with my sisters help & see. But the eglu will be free for about 6 weeks!

If the eggs are infertile, then we are planning to get some Araucana eggs.

Absolutely desperate for Araucanas after seeing Karen & Co's lovely one!

Happy Hens near to Tarporley will have some Araucanas for sale in about 6 weeks - for anyone else who is after one. They also have dorkings & black rocks.

 

Emma.x