Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[eggypeggy]

We've just added 2 15 week old, what can only be described as babies, to the 2 pepperpots we already have, well since last Thurs. I really didn't realise until I got them home and put them next to ours just how small and defenseless they would be, they look and sound sooo small. I gave them some lettuce today and they didn't know it was food! Forgot all about that stage.

 

Anyway, I was told to add the 2 newies in at night to the coop, and let them get on with it really. So we've put them all in together at night (for the last 4 nights).. bit of sqwarking and shuffling for the best position, then all quiet til the morning. We then let the 2 pepperpots free range all day with the egg port open and the door to eglu shut with newies in the run. Both have there own supply of food and water.. Hoping this will be good enough, so far so good. Bit of pecking at the bars. But I was expecting that.

 

Tonight my 3 yr old let the 2 newies out (oops) all seemed okay, no major harm done. The 2 new ones just look v timid at the moment.. so I'm going to keep them seperate during the day for a good few weeks yet, 'til they're a bit bigger. So fingers crossed and the 3 week rule will apply to us too!

 

I read through the advice on omlet, spoke to the chicken supplier, but was still totally shocked by the babes, you forget they were only fluffy 15 weeks earlier!

 

Eggy (Pepperpot)

Peggy (Pepperpot)

Henrietta (Skyline)

Sam (Silvernick)

[Egluntyne]

The general advice is to wait till the youngsters are around 22 weeks old before introducing them to adult hens, as they will not be big enough to stand up for themselves.

 

Have a dekko at **these articles** about managing intros for some tips.

 

Can you beg or borrow some separate accommodation for them?

[The Dogmother]

Oh dear It would have been best to sort out separate accommodation before going to collect them. Even when you get bigger birds as newbies, it's best to keep them apart for a bit to get used to each othe and for quarantine reasons.

 

Try Freecycle for a rabbit hutch

[eggypeggy]

Seperating them tonight, the skyline has had a nip on the neck, so can't put them in together at night for a while..

 

I did take advice.. I have read all the articles.. but was asured that putting them in together at night would be fine. I think the problem is the eglu, wooden coops are alot darker than my orange eglu. So they've been awake for too long in a confined space, rather than calm in a dark space.. if you know what I mean..

 

It's like with most things in life there always conflicting advice and you just have to be flexible.

 

So we're borrowing a cat carrier and I'll put them in that, in the shed tonight and as long as they are happy with that, I'll keep on with that until the newies are a good size. Give us a chance to spend a bit of time with then, give em a cuddle.

 

See how we go.. They are lovely chooks.. really looking forward to them all free ranging together. Patience!

[Gallina]

Fifteen weeks is far too young to put babies in with full-grown hens. I don't think you will find any conflicting advice on this forum.

 

I am glad you have separated them.

 

The babies shouldn't have layers' pellets until they are at least eighteen weeks old, and it is much easier to see that they all eat what they should if they are separate.

[Sandychick]

It's like with most things in life there always conflicting advice and you just have to be flexible.

 

I know what you mean. There are so many chicken breeders, farmers etc who give the "bung 'em in together, they'll be fine" advice, and they are probably right in the environments they are used to. They are usually refering to huge areas, where any new additions have plenty of space to escape to day and night until they are established. For the confines of an Eglu and run, the advise on here is by far the best.

 

I don't know if this would work in your shed, but when I had to keep Willow seperate, I sectioned off a bit of the shed with some wire mesh to make an indoor mini-run. Then I could put some food, water, perches etc in for her so she had stuff to do before I let her out.

 

Good luck with them, hope it all goes ok. I'm sure they will all be happy together in a few weeks

[eggypeggy]

Thank you Sandy chick, good advice. All seems well today, Babes had a good nights sleep in there own space! They are happy in the run, while the other two free range.. going to keep that up for a least two weeks and we'll go from there.

 

There food is already seperate as they haven't been together during the day yet.. except that one little incident of a 3 yr old getting a bit enthusiastic! he's not sure why, as he's used to letting the big girls out, why he can't let the little ones out!

 

It's a bit of a faff collecting the little ones from the run at the end of the day and popping them in there temporary coop, but it'll be worth it.. Good chance for a cuddle. Looking forward to more eggs, never seem to have enough.. Advice to anyone new.. start with 3!

 

p.s. I hope I didn't imply that there was conflicting advice on this site, it's not that. You just here different techniques from all over, friends, poultry experts! etc etc..

 

Anyway, Thanks again for tips.

V

[Sandychick]

Thats great, sounds like you are doing everything right. It is a hassle, but all worth it in the end......and all those extra eggs to look forward to