Warm boot recommendations please

[madchickenlady]

Now that I've lost Delilah, my bottom hen will be very lonely Mini is a bit younger than the other four, and they do not want to be friends. They don't attack her, but she is very much excluded. Delilah was her 'bridge' into the flock, the hen who she could hide behind and snuggle up with. Since Delilah was quarantined, Mini has looked a bit lost. If I go outside, she hops onto my foot and generally sticks close. I'm wondering if I should get another placid hen of around Mini's age to pair her up with. Has anyone tried this? I'd introduce the new hen to Mini on her own, and only introduce them to the rest when they were well bonded. Any thoughts? Very bad idea? Or possible? (I haven't forgotten Delilah, just need something to keep me occupied )

[Kittycat]

I'll be interested to read the replies to this thread...

 

I bought an and 3 hybrid chickens only 5 weeks ago - and now I know why so many people buy because i am totally addicted and would LURVE a blue egg layer to add to the flock

 

In theory it's possible, the could accommodate 4 and the chooks get plenty of free range in the garden, so space isn't an issue. However, my reasons for thinking about another chook are entirely selfish and I'd hate to upset the balance of a currently happy threesome. From what I've read, introducing just one chicken is not ideal so I'd be interested to hear of anyone else who has done so... One day I'll get a (Sssshh )

[Ash]

I recently introduced a pair of columbine's who got picked on by my 3 black rocks for 2 weeks or so but now its out of there system I only hear the odd squabble over a bit off food but the columbine's normally back down.

 

Even more recently, while the columbine's were still fresh I added a single white coral hen to them. I thought best to add it now rather than later when they have settled properly.

All 5 of the hens bundled the poor coral so I had to seperate it on its own and it has been for the last few days but today ive decided that this is not going to achieve much in the long term.

So today I took the coral out of her area and put her with the others and had no choice but to watch as they all layed into her.

After a minute or 2 she escaped them and it was all over but I fear they will start again tomorrow.

 

My personal view, going by what I experienced with the columbine's is once they get it out of there system and realise that she is not going to go away they will leave her be but for now Im just going to let nature take its corse and montior the beating incase anything serious happens.

 

As for interaction between the black rocks and the columbine's. They are like your old school discos where the boys stood on one side and the girls on the other. Hopefully the columbine's will take the coral under there wing or she is going to have a lonely exsistance for the next few months.

[Olly]

It's not easy introducing one hen but it can be done. Look for the sticky on here about introductions, and follow the advice - i.e. separate accommodation, putting them to sleep together at night, feeding treats at the perimeter fence, and supervised free-ranging. It will take weeks, but it can be successful, and the Daisybelle I adopted at New Year is now fully integrated with my other chickens.

 

She is bottom of the pecking order, and still gets told very firmly where to go if there are treats around, but there has to be a 'bottom' chicken in any flock.

[Egluntyne]

I introduced one hen to eleven last year (she was 'pre-loved') and took it very slowly.

 

**Click**.

 

Apart from a few very minor skirmishes, she blended in well.

[Solopuff]

I introduced one to 18 at the end of last year. I thought of pairing her up with the lowest ranking one for a few days first but it didn't work. The lowest ranking one just used the opportunity to assert her dominance on the new girl!

I resorted to housing the new one on her own at night in an old rabbit hutch then, after a few days of putting her in a rabbit run amongst the others to let her get acclimitised, started letting her out with all the others free ranging during the day. I took it very slowly and was sure she was OK with the others before letting her sleep with them.

She did get reminded that she was new and low ranking by the couple of most dominant ones but nothing terrible. All is well now.

Hope this helps

[Ash]

Ive put them to bed together tonight and suprisingly they have all cuddled up together.

 

There must be an unwritten rule that theres no fighting at bedtime.

 

 

I just hope shes still alive by the time i get up tomorrow.

[Guest]

If you do get a new hen, also buy some cheap perfume and spray lightly each of the hens in the house (avoiding the head). The henhouse will smell lovely and your hens should get on with each other.

[Olly]

Ive put them to bed together tonight and suprisingly they have all cuddled up together.

 

There must be an unwritten rule that theres no fighting at bedtime.

I just hope shes still alive by the time i get up tomorrow.

 

I think there is - or they're too dopey to be bothered - but don't leave it too long to get her out again tomorrow, as once they've woken up normal behaviour will be resumed!

[Ash]

Well I just left them at it. They have now got it out there system and are all friends.

[sandyhas3chucks]

[quote name=" (I haven't forgotten Delilah, just need something to keep me occupied )

oh dear know just what you mean.I have 4 new ex bats to add to my left 2. Miss my little Moe so much, just cried like a baby replying to a similar post on the clinic. going to have to stay away fo a bit. too painful. Best keep busy with my new girls. I

got hole in the neck hen as a pal for my lonely bottom girl. worked a treat, once she was mended.but now she is left with one of the other pair, you just can't plan anything!