Kit Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hi My 3 hens are going back to the breeder where they came from for a hen holiday whilst we are away. I am wondering whether I should ask them to introduce another hen into the equation so that when I come home I can bring 4 back and it will be easy with no bulling etc going on. What are everybody's thoughts? Is it cruel to introduce 1 new girl to 3 established ones already? Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Its a lot harder introducing just one however it also depends on the nature of your three and the new one In a way introducing another hen whilst the others are not on their turf sounds a good idea, on the other hand if they are already up-tipped by a change of scenery it could make it all so much worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Its not somthing id do its bad enough putting 2 or 3 in.May be if you have room have a couple more also the bullying would still go on when you get back.It can take a few weeks to put more hens in full time.I normally do it over 3 or 4 weeks.Sorry l could not give you a better answer Is there anr breed you had in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I have introduced 1 into 11 before (she was a chicken of Fate). It can be done, but just really really slowly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Well We had Babs with another 2 chickens, which she killed after a few months of being together and she went on holiday to the farm where she came from (I worked there aswell). I chose a few bantams and asked the staff to put them in the run next to her, and when we got back after a week, we put the 2 in with Babs to see what would happen, and she just started attacking them and they just sat there and let her get on with it. I know you have to expect some fighting but this was worse. Anyway, she went home a single chicken and then we bought 4 hybrids and kept them separately . You could try though, as you wont lose anything, they just might not get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I've also done 1:11 and am now doing 1:14. I agree with Redfrock....it can be done, but not in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Hi Thank you everybody for your replies. I think I will leave as it is..keep my 3 girls as a team of 3. No point in upsetting them or even worst take a new girl for her to be bullied. I wish I had the time to introduce more hens but with a part time job, a 4 year old daughter to look after I would not be able to give quality time for introductions. Wish I bought a cube and more hens from the very beginning...my girls look lonely sometimes when free ranging in an acre on their own Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Don't let me put you off, as Egluntine and redfrock have done it. Babs was one of a kind and would never have lived with others. I think if you were going to introduce another, this would be the time to do it. All of them in an unknown place, so no-one is top chicken, and at a chicken breeders, they will hopefully know what they are doing. You could ask them what they think, and if they aggree, give it a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
