4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[i_want_the_good_life]

We have just had our Eglu delivery date though and as a result been out excitedly choosing chooks! We know we want three hens. The breeder we found is fantastic! Her hens are super friendly. We have chosen two hybrids - a Rhode Rock and Calder Ranger. Our third choice though is up for debate!

 

We want a third variety. And had thought of a smaller "fluffy" hen as my son would describe them. Problem is our breeder does not have such a hen. What to do?!?!? Do we compromise and get our third hen from her or get another from elsewhere?

 

Our two are kept in the same run with the breeder. If we got the third from somewhere else we could introduce them to their new home on the same day?

 

So many questions!

 

Thanks in advance - any advice welcomed!

 

- coming 29/4/09

-being collected 1/5/09

being collected 1/5/09

Third hen - to be decided!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That's exciting - not long to wait now . I believe it's absolutely fine to get hens from different breeders if they are all brought home at more or less the same time.

 

Found this thread about mixing sizes - may be of use?

[Guest]

HI

I am certainly not an expert so may be corrected or perhaps i was lucky?

I got 3 hens from one breeder the week before cube arrived which are 18weeks old & were kept in rabbit hutch(speckeldy/bluebelle/another hybrid)....

 

Then omlet yesterday delivered 2 gingernuts in the morning with my cube.

 

Yesterday whilst they were in the run there was definite segregation and the smallest hen had the biggest attitude!

 

So I posted them all in the cube last nite and today they have been out mixing( I did put two lots of seperate food out so there wasnt any arguments etc) and as the day has gone on they all were mixing more...tonite i went out to put them in at 8pm as it was gettting dark and they had all gone to bed in the cube by themselves!

 

I only guessed its cos they are similar aged they got on fine..took the view they are going to have to get on with it...

 

so if it was me I would get another from where ever...

 

good luck indie

[Egluntyne]

They will be fine so long as they are all bought at more or less the same time.

 

If you leave it any length of time the first lot will have established themselves and that is when you have problems.

[i_want_the_good_life]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Much appreciated! 12 days to go!!!!