sarahs chucks Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 hi, would just like to thank the people that helped me recently when my girl turned broody and wish i had discovered this site a long time ago. But now to the most recent problem!! i left my job at a school on tuesday and as a leavers present one of the childrens parents gave me 2 girls quirky and leaden , was the last thing i expected but as they know how much i love my chooks as i already have 6 they thought it would be a nice present, which it was but as you can imagine i was not prepared. I have tried my best using my dog crate and orange fencing to try and introduce slowly but decided to put them all together yesterday, but my newbies flew straight on the coupe roof after about 30 mins of squabbeling and havent come down since we had to lift them into the bed last night and this morning they flew straight back up there have put food and water up there today but was wondering if i should keep putting food and water up there or leave it down to encourage them off the roof. My old girls and my newbies are about the same age and there run and coupe is plenty big enough for them all, so am just waiting for the harmony now. any advice would be brill. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I'd leave it downwere they can see it otherwise they might get to use to it been on the roof could you also put them in the crate with some feed for a short time each day around tea time to make sure the get to eat in peace I had to due this with one of mine when she needed building up when she stated to molt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Where are you? Maybe someone could lend you a house and run for a short time so that you could introduce the two groups more slowly. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Are your new girls secure on the coop roof? If so, I'd leave them too it, but make sure they get the opportunity to come down for food and water by keeping the others away for spells. Each time I have introduced new girls, they have taken to the high branches in their run. They gradually pluck up the courage to come down for longer periods each time. I find it works really well - if they get picked on, they just jump up into the branches again. It'll take a few weeks, but they will eventually mingle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Gosh, what a present - very thoughtful, but not quite thought through! I agree with Snowy - having somewhere high to escape to actually helps with the introduction process, as long as they are safe from predators up there I'd leave them to it. They will gradually come down, but make sure they do get a chance to eat and drink, especially in this hot weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahs chucks Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 hi there thanks for all replies they seem to be doin the same today but are coming down for short prriods of time my black tails aren`t bothered by them now but my whites one are have scattered food all over run floor and they were all eating together so hopefully they are getting there have 2 feeders and 3 waters in a 20*20 ft hopefully thats enough. Ohh almost forgor Quirky laid her not first but first to me egg this morning in her nesting box thanks again. sarah p.s They are safe on the coupe roof as my run is about 8ft high and it has a chicken wire roof so they can`t get out but more importantly as i live in the country nothing can get in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 In that case, I'd leave them to it - they'll come down when they feel more confident. Glad to hear that Quirky is laying! (did she lay it on the roof?!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 That's good news! I've 'done' introductions four times now using this method - it seems to be a natural reaction for them to get up high, and the older ones leave them alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahs chucks Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 hi all just a quick update all my chicks are now living in harmony they all eat together now and are all going to bed by themselves at night and best of all my new chooks are no longer hiding on the roof so thanks for advice it really put my mind at ease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
