How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[NClaire]

We're building a 2nd chicken run today , because I have a bullied Goldline in a rabbit hutch! So when the run is done, I'll get a couple of little friends for her - I thought a White Star and a Bluebelle. What is my best plan for introducing them? I had a couple of thoughts;

 

Keep Dopey in the rabbit hutch, in sight of the run for a few days, then introduce at dusk, keep an eye on them the next day.

 

OR

 

Put them all in at dusk and hope for the best, be there in the morning to break up any battles!!!

 

The 1st approach would seem to be a more cautious approach, but given that Dopey was bottom of the pecking order in her old hutch (with 3 others), would putting 2 newbies in allow them to 'colonise' the new hutch and then not accept her? In which case, the 2nd approach could be better (given that they are all 'new' to the house, and it is 1 older hen against 2 new younger hens - who aren't bonded as a pair yet?). I can't decide what is best to do!!! I'm inclining for number 2, especially as I have a back up plan, which is if the 2 new ones prove to be evil like the others, then they can chance their luck in the other run, and Honey, my other Goldline can come in with Dopey. (This is one reason why I want to get 2, so that I have the flexibility to do that if necessary - putting one in with evil Black Rock would NOT be good - if this proved to be the best option, then I would put the other run in sight of the old one for a bit, and take it more slowly, but ideally I'd like the newbies in with Dopey, and am hoping she could be Queen Chicken for a bit )

[NClaire]

Any thoughts?

[Egluntyne]

Hmmmm

 

I always advise the slow method **here** as it works well.

 

How old are the new girls?

 

If they are very young, the tables might turn and she might go for them.

[NClaire]

Thanks egluntine - I'm still undecided what to do - the articles were really useful, so thanks for posting those - will have a thorough read again this evening. I'm deliberately not going to get hens that are too young - aiming for 21-22 weeks if I can.

 

One further complication is that our fences have been down for a while, waiting for neighbour....and although I let Dopey out to free range when I'm there (she really needs to, being in a rabbit hutch...), I wouldn't be happy letting newbies out as I would never catch them! So I couldn't let them out together in the garden.

 

One of my dilemmas is that if I put 2 new hens together, with Dopey looking on, won't they become best friends, and then gang up on Dopey? Since this whole exercise is to give Dopey a friend away from the flock that was bullying her (specifically the horrid Black Rock), that would be a disaster! (Although my fall back would move the other Goldline in with Dopey, and put the new ones in with the other 2). And I can't separate 3 birds in 3 places.....

 

Maybe I should just give them a stern talking to that no pecking is allowed!

[Egluntyne]

You could try putting Dopey in with just one chicken and let them become pals, then swap and get her used to the other girl.

 

If you put bumperbits on all of them at least ther won't be any bloodshed, but theire might be some squaring up.

 

As long as there are several food and drink stations about, and they get used to sharing treats, they should eventually get on.

[NClaire]

Thanks egluntine - I guess the answer is going to be to watch them really carefully for the first few weeks, and be prepared to mix and match as necessary!

[Egluntyne]

I guess so. I'm sure you will find a solution.