Single hen

[Charlie_uk]

Hi All, Ive read and printed the excellent advice on the introducing new hens to a flock, but just wanted to check if we should expect/do anything different if we are introducing 2 new girls to just 1 hen (we only had 2 and lost onion on Monday)

 

Thanks for the advice

 

Charlie x

Edited October 13, 2008 by Guest

[kez]

That's really sad news Charlie.

 

I've no advice yet as I'm also new to keeping chickens. Sure someone else will be able to help.

 

Egluntine......... are you there?!?!?

[keyhole kate]

Oh I am sorry to hear about onion

I had just finished reading your

post on the names thread too.

 

I am fairly sure all information

applies regardless of number I did 2 to 5 intro

following the information and all in the cube is rosy

 

Enjoy picking some new girls

 

Hopefully Egluntine will appear soon &

like magic and your Q will be answered

[alih]

Yes I think it's probably wise although her grumpiness will be diluted between the 2. If I were you I would follow the intro thread's advice and go slowly.

[Egluntyne]

Take it slowly would be my advice. Separate accommodation will help for starters.

 

How old are the new girls? I would make sure that they are at POL and certainly as big as your remaining girl so that they can hold their own if necessary.

 

Don't introduce little ones to her.

 

Good luck.

[Charlie_uk]

They will be POL girls, wouldnt get any younger then that! Using http://www.cambridgepoultry.co.uk/ who was recommened to us by Omlet as its a 6-8 week wait for chickens from them and its not fair to leave Sage on her own that long

 

The only problem is that after looking at the pictures of the different chickens on their website I want one of every type and colour!

 

Thanks for all the advice

 

Charlie

x

[Egluntyne]

It will be hard to choose.

[chuckmum]

so sorry to hear about onion.

 

We have had a similar experience - 2 chooks delivered 31/7/08 - Mabel and Doris. Doris was not well when I let them out on Saturday(8/10/08) , deteriorated rapidly and passed away about lunchtime.

 

Very sad -still missing her - but think there was something not quite right from the beginning. The poor dear to my knowledge never laid an egg and arrived with a sniffle. Apart from this she seemed ok.

 

When she passed away I had a panic about infection and thank God for EGLUS! so easy to disinfect. However I think it was probably not an infection but something genetic like a weak heart or something.

 

I too am about to introduce 2 new chooks to the lovely Mabel. I'll let you know how I get on - and many thanks also to everyone on this post for your advice as to how to approach this very sensitive little task

 

all the best

 

chuck mum

[helenmb]

Hi Charlie

 

Sorry to hear about Onion and so soon! I have recently been in a similar situation to you with one hen left and strangely enough I bought my 3 new girls from cambridgepoultry.co.uk too. As you can see from my signature I chose an Amber Star, Bluebelle and Silver Sussex. I was really impressed by Adam and Anna they were very helpful (so I recommended them to Omlet as have lots of others too I gather) and my girls are wonderful.

 

Anyway, I think I was very lucky with my introductions. I kept them seperate on the first day and then took the plunge and let them loose together. There was a bit of feather pulling by Millie my old girl for a couple of days but we made sure that either I or my DH was around to ensure it didn't get nasty. Millie was a bit put out about her new 'friends' but after 4 weeks with them now seems pretty happy. She'll swing them a look or give them the odd tiny little peck if she thinks they are going to pinch something juicy plus she was a bit territorial about the Eglu at first (on and off strangely) but nothing nasty.

 

So I guess it all depends on how your older girl takes to the new ones. We have already had our first egg from our Amber Star so think our Bluebelle will be next followed probably quite a bit later by the Sussex.

 

Good luck - hope you don't find it too difficult to choose which hens to have. I wanted one in every colour too (my DH said that was very 'female' ).

[Charlie_uk]

just had a text from my mum (Im at work so cant be home to meet them ) but our two new chickens are on their way home as we speak

 

She has picked a Black tail, and an Amber (I think!) http://www.cambridgepoultry.co.uk/poultryforsale.htm

 

[Egluntyne]

Lovely.

[helenmb]

That's great news I hope they settle in well. Add a photo if you get a chance as I'd love to see them.

[keyhole kate]

Lovely piccies please

[Egg Lou]

Sorry to hear about Onion but congratulations on your new girls!

[Charlie_uk]

Dont worry, as soon as they're out and about tomorrow morning Ill be up snapping piccies!

 

Thanks for all the advice and nice comments

 

Charlie

x

[Charlie_uk]

well the intro is going reasonably well so far, Sage seems to have accepted rosemary (but I think this is because she is the same colour and build as onion was) Thyme on the other hand is smaller in size and still cheeps (its so adorable!) and is getting a wee bit bullied by Sage, Sage wont let her into the omlet run (till night time, where they all sleep together happily ) and quite often pecks at her and chases her away from food.

 

When they are all out free ranging theres never really any problems, and hints on getting sage to be less territorial about her run?

 

Thanks

 

Charlie

 

ps. Pictures will be on once I remember to charge my camera batteries before trying to take pictures!!

[helenmb]

Just make sure you have an extra feed and water bowl for Thyme so she can get her quota. It will settle down and so long as no blood is drawn then things are looking good. It took my girls about 3 to 4 weeks to be really comfortable but I could see day by day improvements well before that.

 

Don't forget those pics though will you.