dame egna Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 We have had our 5 hens for 2 weeks on Saturday. I have contacted the lady we got them from asking if we could have 3 more, and how would I introduce them. She basically said, keep them seperate until bed time, and then pop them on the perch with the others and they should be fine. Isn't that too easy?! I have read a few threads and it seems I should keep them seperate for quite a while longer? I have a large ish walk in run, with another run attached through to 1/3 of our garden that free range during the afternoon. A pic will probably explain better and this is their run before we added the extra bit onto the garden The only problem is, I don't have anywhere to keep the new ones seperate unless I use the dog crate I pick them up in, and a rabbit run? Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I'm sure they enjoy the swings and trampoline but isn't the bike going a bit far? They can't be that bored, surely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 Well, Ill have you know that the hens love that bike. One sit's on the seat, 2 work the handle bars and two work the pedals..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I'd pay good money to see that ha ha ha - and you'd definitely win the prize for best photo I promise never to cast doubt on their cycling skills again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Hi there, Yes, I'd agree that putting them together for one night and expecting them to be okay the next day is a little optimistic! Like you, I had 5 girls and recently (last week) added 3 more girls to the flock! (I thought OH said, "Have fun today.. don't buy too many chickens." He claims he said, "Have fun today, don't buy ANY chickens!" - too late now ) Anyway, we're keeping the three new girls separate from the original 5 and they take it in turns to free range in their fenced off area of the garden. Some pecking goes on through the bars of the eglu run, but no one is getting hurt. I'll gradually integrate them, but probably not for another week. Saronne x P.S. I will change my signature quite soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 Saronne - what a coincidence! I think I'm just going to have to keep them separate then to begin with, which means making some temp thing for the newbies to go in. No, I got that wrong. That means HUBBY will have to make something temp for them to go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Sounds like a good plan! P.S. Was your OH okay about the additional 3? Mine looked totally perplexed and told me to get my hearing tested! P.P.S. Where are you getting your layers from?? (I will not buy anymore, I will not buy anymore...I will not...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 (edited) Hubby? Who said anything about asking hubby...... lol, no I think he's fine about it which is odd because he's not been fine with my other animals most of the time! I think he's really fallen for the chickens, they lay him eggs and talk to him. What more could a man want? He finds them endearing..... he has a point, they are lovely! I will pm you with the web site of the place I got/am getting my hens from I think I pm'd you but not sure if it worked so here's what I said: Here's where I got the girls from. http://www.harepathsteadpoultry.co.uk/polp.html She also has some Devon Rock not listed, that lay the eggs. So, for the white eggs I'll be getting a Light Sussex and the blue eggs a Legbar. Can't wait for the coloured eggs - sure my hubby thinks that's sad! Edited April 29, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 If you have only had them 2 weeks, it may be easier to introduce the new ones than if they were a well-established flock. We added a new hen after 4 days with no trouble at all. A lot of people seem to find they are OK all together overnight but have to be separate during the day...perhaps start like this and see how it goes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Thanks Dame Egna! Saronne xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I am going to be in exactly the same position this weekend. I've had my new 4 for almost 2 weeks now and will be collecting 3 chooks on saturday (hopefully). I'm going to section off a little bit of the new girls run with a mesh panel ( that I haven't made yet ) luckily I've got an odd shaped triangular bit that just lends itself as an annexe. But, like you , I'm stuck for accomodation for the 3 newbies, I had originally planned to get them in the summer , when my other 4 had integrated with 'main girls' ( confused ? I am )and then I would have been able to use one of the coops. But , for now I'm going to use a dog crate and cover 3 sides ,with what, I haven't decided yet. I'm going to make a table to raise it up as the fenced off area will be small enough without the house taking up space. They should be fine in it for a week ( as my new flock is quite new, I'm hoping they'll mix quickly ) and when the 4 are out in the garden the new 3 can use the run for a bit more space. Sounds ok in theory, just hope it works in practice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggalp Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 i've had two new girls for 5 weeks now to add to the two older ones who are nearly two. I was going to bring them home in the morning and keep them apart for the day and put them in at night together and leave them to it but at the last minute i managed to get an old rabbit hutch from my mum. I am so glad i have them seperate. They have free ranged together for four weeks now and go their seperate ways at bedtime, and they are just about making friends. I have been feeding them treats together daily after taking advice from others on here and my older ones are still quite reluctant to share - but it is getting better..........it just takes ages! i would advise you , if at all possible, to get a seperate temporary house! hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golden egg Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 hi , i also am new to this and have just bought a and 1 black rock with and 1 with and fancied one that layed white eggs, now i am worried, i read 3 are better than two , have only had them 3 days , would that make things easier donna.x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I agree with ..lay a little egg .... in that as they've not been together for very long and are likely to be the same age etc, i'd give it a go introducing them before you go to the expense and effort making something new for them to live in. We introduced a second batch after about 2 weeks when we got our first lot of chickens with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Kitchens - that's good to hear, I hope that's our case this weekend then as if the weather is like it is today, it's going to be pretty miserable outside sorting them out somewhere temporary! for the sun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I've seen a few threads where people have spare eglus or ones to rent - if it doesn't go swimmingly you could try posting to see if there's someone near you with a spare. There are some s on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Dame Egna, good luck with your new arrivals. I'd had my hens just 4 weeks when 1 died and I replaced her with a new one. Even after just 4 weeks the other 3 had formed strong bonds and they attacked the new girl badly for about 2 weeks pulling out and eating her feathers and pecking her. They did sleep together at night with no problems, and free range ok ish (at least she could run away). But in the run together they were nasty and when I was at work I had to put the new girl in the childrens wendy house. This may not happen with you as you are introducing more than 1. Hopefully all will go OK as quickly as possible, but you are right to think of separate accomodation in advance just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
