Elderly cat breathing difficulties when purring

[Porkypie]

I am in the process of introducing a new chicken to my existing pair. I've read a lot that it's best to intro two rather than one and now I'm worried I've been wreckless. I've read the advice on intros so I guess I'm seeking support from anyone who's been through this with one hen. I've had the new hen (a lovely Bluebelle named Jemima) for just over a week and she is in a seperate run that's adjacent to the other two. They've been free ranging together this weekend with constant supervison. At times I've been thinking it's been going OK but when she gets too close one will go for her which sets the other one off too. Jemima doesn't peck back and I feel so bad for her. I've halted this with a water pistol and no bloodshed yet... She ends up staying close to me but really it's chicken company she's craving whcih makes me feel guilty about introducing one. She's enjoyed a dustbath and spent some time sunbathing in the middle of the lawn earlier and it eating and drinking well. I know this will take a few weeks but I just can't imagine being able to trust SJ and Nursie with her unsupervised Any advice much appreciated.

[Redwing]

How old is the Bluebelle?

 

Assuming she is old enough to stand up for herself (about 20 weeks or older) I would do the following if it was me:

 

Find the ring leader, she is hen 1 the other of the couple is hen 2. The pen the two hens in at the moment is the one I assume you want everyone to go in to eventually (the permenant pen)

 

ok........

 

Move hen 2 to Jemima's pen - Jemima is on home turf so hopefully this will go ok

 

Then move hen 1 to Jemimas pen and move Jemima and hen 2 to the permenant run

 

Move hen 1 in with Jemima and hen 2

 

This theory plays on catching the hens off guard with new territory so they may well be less defensive

 

If things go wrong move back a step and wait a bit longer before trying again

 

Let the two pens free range separately so they can move around the one/s safely in the run without harming her/them

 

If the Bluebelle is still young make it supervised free ranging only for now

 

Good luck!

[Egluntyne]

I agree....divide and conquer.

 

Now that they are used to each other, mix them about and confuse them for a week or so. It will help.

[Porkypie]

Thank you so much for your replies. Jemimah is only 17weeks old so I should keep them in separate pens for another few weeks before trying the mix up trick. One concern is that I think I know who is top chuck but sometimes I'm not convinced and change my mind. Are there clear signs to tell who is top chuck and if I select the wrong one for the mix around could this be disasterous. I'm a little paranoid about all this after I heard (through a friend) about someone's intro going horribly wrong and them finding a dead chicken in the pen

 

One more question - if I did the put them together at night and get up early to remove the newbie, what time is 'early' at this time of year?

[Egluntyne]

5.30am.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I've done it successfully.

Take as much time as it takes, is my advice, and keep switching.

It all depends on the temperments of the hens, and even that seems to change..

good luck, it CAN be done, just don't rush it!

[Woodcat]

hey

 

I've also done it successfully. It can be hard to tell who is the top chook somtimes but as you only have two it shouldn't be a problem. You want to supervice visits to begin with so you will get a feel of wether or not you can leave them and who is more visious. It won't be a total disaster if she goes with the top chook first and provided your careful there will be no real problems. It does take time and feels like it is never going to work but it will

[Steph101]

I introduced one to three, and I would never do it again. Always try to outnumber the exisiting chooks if you can.