Bunnyish Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 hey, i dont know if anyone can help me... i rescued 3 ex battery hens about 5 weeks ago now and everything has been fine, today i bought 2 new hens, when i put them in with the other girls everything was ok, a few flapping about and the start of pecking order sorting out, but since then (for about the last hour) they have not stopped making the most loudest noise! all of them joining in and being very very vocal. im just worried how long it will last for as i dont what the neighbours complaining. Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-sarahjayne Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Sit with them and watch them for a bit Maybe something has scared them? Is one pecking the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunnyish Posted June 20, 2009 Author Share Posted June 20, 2009 ive been out with them, they are in a secure pen with roof so no cats or anything can get in etc. while i been in the garden planting bits n bobs they been ok, seem to make more noise when i go out there. the pen is new and at the moment they only got the ground/soil to play with, they digging and pecking about in that. im going to go to my local forest and recover some fallen branches and logs and put them in with some chicken friendly bushes so they something to climb on and dig about in etc to keep them busy. is it because they are bored?? they not pecking at each other, i was expecting more pecking order fighting as such but they just flapped about and then settled down... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-sarahjayne Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I think they are probably just getting used to everything new. If you don't already, try letting them free range but keep a very close eye on them. They might be bored, but when my hens are bored they just dustbath / sleep / sunbathe They could just be excited about their new visitors Im sure they'll work it out themselves You could give them a tasty treat to occupy them for a bit such as a grape each (mine love red grapes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunnyish Posted June 20, 2009 Author Share Posted June 20, 2009 Cool, ive given them a corn on the cob to keep them busy. They were free ranging up until last sun eve when we had a close shave with a fox, so now they stay in a large inclosed secure pen as mr foxy appeared early eve when it was still day light out and i was standing in the conservectory! very daring little fellow he was! i cant risk losing them to a fox, thats why i intend on enriching their environment with logs and bushes and bits so they have things to do. Will defo try the grapes though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I would think they are making noise because two strangers have just turned up in their run, and the newbies are probably a little unsure of the 5 existing ones. When introducing chooks I think the general thinking on this forum at least is to keep them seperated for a while to allow everyone to get used to the idea. And if you have to but newbies in with the existing chooks straight away it is best to do it at night when they have all gone off to roost so that they wake up together and think that there have always been together. My advice would be to take is slowly and keep a very close eye on them. Good advise re intros can be found in the FAQ section. What breeds are your newbies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Did you just put the new hens in with the ex-batts? It is much easier, for them, and for you, if you take the introductions slowly. Article about managing introductions here. **here** Can you borrow some separate accommodation for the new girls for a while? How old are the new hens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunnyish Posted June 20, 2009 Author Share Posted June 20, 2009 yeah they in with ex bats, they the same breed as ex batts the ISA browns. the new girls are 8 months old. no one has anything i can borrow to keep them in, they been fine no pecking or anything like that ive worked out its just lindsey who is making all the noise and its loud. i can hear it upstairs in the bathroom and they out at the back of the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunnyish Posted June 20, 2009 Author Share Posted June 20, 2009 Things seemed to have calmed and the noise level back to normal, just the odd cluck when i go out there to check on them, The 2 new girls are hiding in the coop and the old girls are on the outside in their run. i do hope they will all make friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
