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

[mostin]

We got a couple of new ladies a week ago, and they have been housed very happily next to our eglu and run with our first two ladies. After a couple of days we had an unplanned free range together as when the old girls were out and about the new girls flew out of their pen to join them.

 

We were very worried but no pecking, only a bit of chasing. We've been free ranging them together every since and then yesterday one of the new girls layed her first egg. We caught her in the eglu rather than her house in the afternoon and she was not keen on leaving, obviously anxious to move into some better accommodation.

 

This morning the same new girl, Shirley, seemed very upset and flew out of her pen again. I had a brainwave and thought, I wonder if she's laying again and wants to do it in the eglu? I let the old girls out of their pen and let Shirley in and Bingo! Egg in nestbox.

 

Obviously eglus are the hight of luxury and despite my trying to do a very slow introduction my girls are not prepared to wait.

 

Tonight we are going to put both pens together but leave both houses in the pens and all feeding stations available and see who goes where.

 

Does that sound like a plan

Edited September 18, 2008 by Guest

[Dave36]

Give it ago and see what happens, The same thing happend to us we split our girls up but so they could see each other and the new girls after 3 days were jumping over the top to be with the old hens, pecking happend but only lasted a few days, and they were often in the cube watching the others lay. Good luck and a little eye on the situation wouldnt go amiss

 

Dave

[mostin]

Thanks for the support Dave,

 

at least keeping an eye on them won't be a problem, I don't seem to do anything else other than chicken watch these days.

[mostin]

Just been up to see who has gone to bed in which house.

 

Shirley was all tucked up in bed with the older gals but poor little Dolly was asleep on the eglu run roof. As they were all asleep we popped her in with others but we don't close the eglu door so should any trouble kick off they can get out.

 

Still I'm so scared, my poor babies spending their first night in all together I hope nothing goes wrong

[Scooby]

That great Mostin - sounds like you're going to be very lucky with introductions.

[mostin]

All was well this morning. Big sigh of relief. I hardly slept a wink last night Had loads of horrible nightmares about what had happened inside.

 

Raced up this morning and all four were waiting at the run door to be let out in to the pen, looking as if they,ve been best friends forever. They've all just had a nice preen together as a four, but now split up into their two, twos.

 

Can't express how releived I am it all went well. What worriers us chicken mummies are

[mot336]

Thats great news!

[dancing cloud]

Glad to hear it all went well

[WitchHazel]

That's great news! Hopefuly they'll all be going to bed together without any trouble tonight.