Yorkshire Pudding Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 (edited) Help, Omleteers! I lost my hen Daphne this morning, and now have an only chook, Marj. It's not been a good week with pets as we lost our much loved cat only a week ago. Instict tells me that she should be part of a flock, not alone at the bottom of the garden. OH is (amazingly!) open to the idea of a couple of new girls to keep her company and I know of a supplier with point-of-lay hens available. I am off work for the next two weeks so I could introduce the new girls by keeping them in the run and letting Marj free-range, putting them in together at night. I don't have a spare run to isolate two new chickens and don't know anyone who could lend one who lives within a 300 mile radius . Do I need to stop and listen to Prudence? Or is this plan not as daft as I fear it may be? Sort me out, please?! Edited December 21, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 First. I'm sorry to hear of your losses. I'm sure Prudence would agree that Marj should be a part of a flock and would overlook you getting at least two more girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Sorry to hear you lost Daphne this morning ......sending big hugs xx Doesn't sound like a daft plan to me :D ....chooks need to be kept in flock so you do need to get some friends for Marj and, sooner rather than later. As you're off for the next 2 weeks you can supervise the integration, will be there to sort out any problems and can get to know your new additions :D What are you waiting for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Sorry to hear about your poor hen and cat . I don't Prudence would have anything to say to you! You need to get more hens ..... now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickpea Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 That's just what I did to introduce any new hens to my flock and it worked out well in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 like Pam says, you'll be on hand to supervise so do it! You could always buy a bit of expanding trellice from B&Q to section off the run if you need to. Just make sure that everyone has access to food and water, you could buy coop cups to hang on the run for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Really sorry about Daphne I just integrated a hen using a cheap dog crate as temp accomodation (shame you are not closer) and I also used bamboo canes pushed through the bars of the run to make a barrier to section the run off, a week later - all are in together and all is well. I would take the opportunity to do this while you have some time off so where are your car keys? go find! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Think you have your answers YP and certainly some good ideas for the intros!! Go for it - ideal opportunity with 2 weeks off Sorry again to hear about your girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Oh YP and Marj Sorry about Daphne and poor puss, what a rotten week. Good luck with getting your new girls tomorrow. Look forward to hearing about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 yes, sorry to hear about Daphne, but I think the others are right - this is a golden opportunity whilst you are about! Also there are lots of threads on here about introductions and imgainative solutions people have found if problems arise. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I'd say go for it! Everything else seems to be falling in to place, and poor Marj will be lonely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Thanks all, you have put my reservations into perspective - so DS2 (aged 7) and I are off to Catterick tomorrow in search of two new friends for Marjorie. This means that I have to break OH's 'two chicken rule' - he has long believed that two chickens was 'enough' - but he has seen sense and understands that to introduce two new girls would be better than a single one, so we will have a flock of three in our Eglu tomorrow. Poor Marjorie has spent the day free ranging and looking for Daphne, in and out of the Eglu and run the whole time. I think the sooner she is in a group, the better. At least the timing means that I have two weeks to handle the introductions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 HI. So sorry to hear about your sad losses, and so close together too . I have to agree with the others though, she needs a friend. Glad to hear you are off to get some new friends tomorow. On a more practical note, I have a converted rabit hutch and run which I used for my 3 ex-batts, until I integrated them. You are very welcome to borrow this for as long as you need. Its in my garage unused at the moment. I will P.M. you my mobile phone number in case you want to borrow it. I'm around tomorow. I live half way between Bradford and Halifax. If I dont hear from you, have fun choosing your new girls and I look forward to hearing about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 YP, I'm sorry about your rotten week, but I know you are doing the right thing for everyone in choosing your new additions today, as I sure does Prudence! The others will not be forgotten, but Marj needs company, and the new lay-dees may soften (not fill) the gap left by your old puss and Daphne especially for the children. Distraction is a wonderful healer in my opionion. I hope all goes well with your introductions, RIP D&M xx Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 They're here! I've never posted pictures before so am relying on Fred's guide to Photobucket.... Introducing Florence (Coral Link, white feathers and rather a softy), and Violet (Blue Haze, blue-grey pencilled feathers and likes a cuddle). They have been in together at the breeders and have spent a happy first couple of hours bathing in the four inches of Aubiose in the run. And also my old lady Marjorie, free ranging, stuffing herself with her favourite yogurt and not being exactly sure about these young whipper-snappers who have appeared on her patch. Her feathers are just growing in after a moult but she's looking in pretty good spirits, all things considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 They're all very pretty girls, congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 They're beautiful. How good that they like being held already. Marj is looking a bit surprised. Looks like you'll be getting different coloured eggs then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 They are beautiful and look so happy in their new home. I must admit I'm a little as I have to wait until spring to get any newbies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Beautiful girls . Congratulations . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Congratulations on your new additions - they look lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Well chosen, what pretty girls they are, and isn't Marj a beauty too. You now have a flock to match mine colourwise! Your Violet is very similar to my Bluebell! I hope all goes well with the intros. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Congratulations. They are beauties. Great names too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Congratulations They are lovely. I am quite Hope you enjoy them over the couple of weeks you've got at home with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Lovely girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Thanks for posting the photos, Florence looks very like my Dolly, who is an Amber link. My Dolly is a very nosey girl and a real softee. She is my cuddle chicken, and the girl Shaun has voted "most likey to be stood on," as she is always round my ankles. I am sure all the intros will go well with you there to supervise. You must be feeling so sad but at least keeping Marj from moping helps to keep you busy as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
