Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[CrazyDaizy]

I know it takes them a couple of weeks to get used to each other.

 

Yesterday we bought a new Chicken (Malibu) who is a young chook, but already started laying eggs, so not that "young!" She is used to being in a huge pen with loads of other chickens, young and old.

 

She was in the run from when she got home 3.30pm yesterday, and is in the run again this morning.

 

Cilla and Amber, our existing chooks are in the garden, and they have all seen each other.

 

I was wondering if I could let the new Chook into the garden for a while to see how they get on?

 

Or is it too soon?

 

One problem..... new chook has shortage of feather in her butt area, and despite the actual vent being fine, the butt looks red. Not sure if a Chook's butt is red anyway because you dont see it with feathers on it.

[Olly]

I'd give it another day or two of them eyeballing each other before you allow physical contact, although you could put her in with them at night (as long as you're prepared to get up early to take her out again!)

 

Try feeding them treats along the borderline, i.e with a fence between them, so they get used to eating near each other, before you let them have actual daytime contact as well.

[CrazyDaizy]

They have been sleeping in the same Eglu together from the start, though its been fun getting them in there. First the new one, make sure she is settled.. then one of the existing Chooks.... listen to make she the two of them are ok together, then when its almost dark, the third one goes in.

 

Just requires a bit of patience and time.

 

Now all three potter around the garden, though they are still wary of each other, and there is still a bit of pecking from time to time. Probably needs another week or so before I feel happy to have them in the enclosed run together.

 

So far so good anyway

 

Oh, and by the way, we had Malibu from Oak Meadow Farm near Halesowen. Lovely lady that owns it. Loads of chickens, even ducks to choose from.