Single hen

[Patsy]

Hi, have just ordered a cube, and intend to house several ex-bats in it. Just looking for some advice on other compatible breeds as we'd like to have two non-bats as well (a condition imposed by my partner for getting the bats!). Anyone have any suggestions on a compatible breed - I'm drawn to Brahmas...? Also, should I home the ex-bats first, and then introduce the other pair, or vice-versa?

 

Look out for many more queries from clueless me in the weeks to come!!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Hi Patsy,

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

In answer to your question, I had 3 hybrids (Chooks)first; a Goldline (similar to the ex-batts), an Amber Star & a Bluebell, then 7 months later added 4 adopted Orpingtons and the next day 4 ex-Batts.

 

They all seem to get on ok, although the Batties are definitely very feisty & take on the Chooks at every available opportunity! The Orpies seem to be left alone, though they are not averse to throwing the odd peck at the Batties and the hybrids!

They all free range together, but I do put them back in their own runs (Orpies & Chooks in the WIR & Batties in the Eglu run) when I go out as I couldn't bear to come back to a bloody or bloodless mess, which I fear could occur!

 

As long as you introduce them gently, I think you'd be ok with any breed of a similar or larger size to the ex-Batts, personally I would think Bantams would be a mistake!! I wouldn't mix them instantly as the ex-Batts need to regain some strength before they "take on the world".

 

They may also have problems climbing the ladder into the cube as they will have very weak leg muscles, maybe think about putting a ramp in place of the the ladder until they are strong enough. Mine, after nearly 2 months with us, haven't bothered to try & scale the ladder into Liberace yet, although some of them are laying in the nest box of Jasper which sits on the ground.

 

 

Hope this helps, and you'll find everything you could wish to find out on here, and from much more knowledgeable bods than me - even non-chook stuff in the NestBox section!! Don't be afraid to ask, we were all newbies once

 

Sha x

[Janty]

Any chickens would be fine as long as the introductions were taken very slowly.

See my list below.

 

 

I also love brahmas (as you can see).

 

Cochins are gorgeous too...

 

...and pekins and Orps and RIRs and Marans, etc.

[alih]

Sha, your set up is fabulous!