sal Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I've had three chickens happily living in an eglu and free ranging during the day for over a year, with no problems, until two days ago. Came home to find that something (I suspect dogs) had smashed down part of my fence, killed two of my chickens, and left one injured. How Milly got away when Dilly and Sybil didn't, I've no idea. Anyway, I kept Milly inside for the last two nights, and she's OK. She's outside now, in the run, I just don't dare let her free range any more. The problem is, what to do about getting more chickens. Should I get a few, or just one? Given that she's now 20 months old, and the established chicken on this territory, but is alone, would it be better to introduce one at a time, or two or three new ones? And I'm nervous about even getting more, having been problem free so far, up until two days ago. But I can't leave Milly to be by herself. Any advice would be most welcome Thanks Sal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I'm sorry to hear your bad news. If it was me I get 2 new ones at the same time and pretty soon. Your girl is top hen as its her territory and she's a bit older. She'll probably stay that way, and the newbies should fit in around her, particularly as they will probably be younger than her. Going thru the introductions process is better done once than twice in my view. Its OK when it all goes according to plan but can be unpleasant when it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Very sorry to hear it. Why not have a read of **these articles** for some advice on managing intros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Sal, where are you? There is somone on the "free to a good home" section who is trying to rehome 3 omlet girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 Thanks Hazel, I looked, but I'm in East Yorkshire Egluntine, I read the articles, thanks. It was numbers I was wondering about really, and thanks Daphne for your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I had one girl left earlier this year (also called Millie) and I introduced 3 new 16 week old girls to her. The introductions went pretty well, the first day when they were all together was a bit stressy (lots of feather pulling - Millie asserting her superior status) and the younger girls make a horrible squalk when this happens. No bloodshed and thing settled down after a couple of weeks. I would agree that its best to introduce them all together rather than one at a time as every time you do this then the whole pecking order starts again. So it would be less stressful all round. Sorry about the sad news about your two other girls - what a terrible thing to happen. Perhaps you could keep them in a more secure place when you are out and let the free range when you are home. This is what I do, I am lucky to have a big walk-in run that my OK made but I think many, many Eglu owners keep their girls in their Eglu run whilst they are at work. The only problem then is the shorter days in that they only free-range at the weekends. However, that is better then getting attacked - people are so irresponsible, as they must have heard something surely?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 Hi Helen, thanks for the info. Re letting them free range, when I first got the chickens I only let them out when I was at home, but then when I'd got the garden really securely fenced (high wooden fencing with chicken wire on top, 7 foot wall and fence at the bottom of the garden, terraced house so no access except through the house) I let them out during the day, and for well over a year there hasn't been a single problem. As there's a hole smashed through one of my fences, I suspect marauding dogs - recently I've heard big dogs barking a few doors away, I wonder if someone new has moved in and can't control their animals? Anyway, I suspect I'll never know the truth, its pretty upsetting though, and I won't be letting Milly or the new ones out by themselves which is a real shame for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I let mine out free ranging all day too. I'm hardly ever around to watch them. I have to say it's a bit like a walk in run without the roof.. so there is always to possibility of attack, but so far we have been very lucky. So i know what you mean.. and it would be a shame not to let chooks free range because of a couple of dogs... Maybe you'll get a chance to strengthen the fencing. Anyway on the issue of numbers.. go for more rather than less.. Intros can be tricky and you might as well get it over with in one go. I think omlet reccomend 4 hybrids to an eglu.. but I reckon you could have 5 in an eglu providing they're not particulary big breeds.. Mine all seem to sleep on top of each other. Good luck.. at least your chooks died having a good free range life rather than in a little cage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 sal said: Thanks Hazel, I looked, but I'm in East Yorkshire Egluntine, I read the articles, thanks. It was numbers I was wondering about really, and thanks Daphne for your advice I'd add two to your girl. Any more and she might be overwhelmed, only one and it might be bullied by her. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
