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

[Sandychick]

Well, I've seen loads of info about introducing a new chicken, but I still don't know quite what to do here!

 

I'm a bit new to all this and got my first two chickens 'Mavis' the fat fairy and evil 'Edna' 6 days ago(17 and 18 weeks old). I then got a 15 week old Amber Star yesterday called 'Willo' (the wisp!) After a bit of squarking, pecking and chasing they all seem quite happy free ranging together although Willo keeps well away from Edna who gives her the most hassle.

 

I really don't know when to shut them all in the run at night together. I'm sure they will be fine at night when it's dark, but I'm a bit worried about them all waking up in the morning when I'm not there to see whats happening.

 

Willo is sleeping in a temporary pen in the shed at night which is not really ideal. Does anyone know how to decide when it is safe to shut them all in together? I'm hoping it wont be too bad as the other two have only been here 5 days longer and are only 2-3 weeks older, but I'm sure it could all still be a bit vicious!

[jess]

there is no concrete time for putting them together, ill tell you what i did though!

 

- let them free range together from day one

- after about five days maybe six of seperate sleeping i put them in together at night there will be some skwaking!!!

-just let them all out together in the morning and they pecked each other but mostly ignored each other

- have been doing that for a month now and they get on miles better they even walk around together!!!!

 

I know it can be nerve wracking putting them all in together, but they are only chickens, and they can look after themselves, also they get tired quickly. sorry for poor punctuation have been writing an essay all day and can no longer see the point in writing properly!!

[Egluntyne]

Have a look **here**

 

Welcome to the forum.

[Sandychick]

Thanks for advice. I've heard so many horror stories I'm terrified of shutting them all in together! Think when I do, I might set the alarm early to let them all out when it gets light.......although I'm not sure what time that is and I don't think I want to know!

[Sandychick]

Hmmmmm, think I need a bit more help here. I put Willo in with Mavis and Edna last night and apprehensively ventured down this morning to see how they were all getting on. Edna was chasing Willow about the pen but she’s all ok minus a couple of feathers.

 

I’ve just put them all in the run this evening and watched to see what would happen. Edna was pecking Willo a bit too much for my liking so I’ve let them all out again until bedtime when things should be a bit calmer.

 

Not really sure if this is the best thing to do though?? Should I let them argue it out for a bit longer?? They all wander about like best friends in the day when they are free ranging. There wasn’t even a fight over the mealworms earlier, which is pretty competitive in the world of chickens!

 

I’m starting to worry about this now, as they will all be in the run together when I’m at work on Thursday. Any advise here would be great.

 

Sandy.