rachel19 Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 I want to get another two chickens to add to my existing 3 - reason being i think 5 is a nice number I've introduced 2 to 1 before and it went pretty smoothly but 2 to 3 may be more trouble. I'm more of a throw them in there and let them sort it out quickly sort of a person but wanted a few pointers: i will put extra food and water out, scatter corn/ hang up greens - plus they have a 6ft by 27ft run to escape the attacks. Is there anything else i can do to help matters? Also does anyone know of a breeder in the Sussex area that sells orpingtons and similar as i'd love huge fluffy hens ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin and Sian Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 We did the same as you - introduced 2 to one (which was a bit of a nightmare) and then two to three - and this was remarkably smooth. I think there were about five or six pecks and then it was all sorted. We have two eglus and now they mix and match where they sleep - it's a different combination in each eglu every night so there don't seem to be any issues between any of them. Good luck Sian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 I want to get another two chickens to add to my existing 3 - reason being i think 5 is a nice number Good enough reason in my book Rachel I've introduced various numbers in the past and so long as there are plenty of feed stations and you take it slowly they'll be ok. Keep an eye on them for the first couple of days. Orps are super but enormous and you'd have trouble fitting more than one in an Eglu - ask Lesley; she has Big Buff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 I've just introduced 2 to 3 (2 weeks today) and things are fine now. The first 3 or 4 days it was my second in line chicken that did most of the pecking and squabbling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share Posted November 9, 2006 The housing situation is fine - i don't actually have an eglu anymore but a huge wooden house - think it fits up to 25 chickens so should be enough room Glad to hear that people have had quite successful introductions of 2 to 3 - makes me feel better about things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 My 2:1 introductions are going very well - they had their first day freegranging in the garden today - all 3 were very well behaved - Mavis showed the two newbies where the best foraging spots were, they did a little sunbathing and they all had a jolly spiffing time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 That's great news Red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 Did you mean spliffing time, Red? Don't tell me these hens smoke cannabis. I had assumed it was tobacco when you wrote on another thread that one of them had a smoker's cough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 Did you mean spliffing time, Red? Oh dear! I'd better go and have another word with Doris .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted November 10, 2006 Share Posted November 10, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted November 11, 2006 Author Share Posted November 11, 2006 Well I'm taking the plunge on Wednesday - not orpingtons sadly as nowhere round here sells them but will be getting two more hybrids - not sure which ones but i would quite like another bluebelle as Mabel lays such wonderful big eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 Well I have now expanded my flock.............in fact I got 3 more chooks doubling the size of my 'flock' to 6!!!! They are trying to murder each other in the garden as i type ..............bless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Congratulations Rachel! - I hope they settle down soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Well done rachel, just imagine a six egg day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 Wow a 6 egg day - that will be cool. May have to wait a bit as Florence and Sprout have pretty non-existant combs. Think Edna may be laying tho or very close to at least so i'll look forward to a 4 egg day first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted November 16, 2006 Author Share Posted November 16, 2006 Ok day 2 - things appear pretty much the same this morning. New girls at one end of run with food, old girls at other end with food The new girls do venture down occasionally but the old girls get a bit stroppy if they go too new their food and kind of 'mock charge' them until they toddle off back to their end - bless! Not too much pecking tho which is nice - just enough to keep the new girls in their place and mainly from Hester (2nd in command and suck up to Mildred - Mob boss). Mabel has also come out of her shell as she realises she's no longer bottom of the pecking order Sprout just looks so small and lost bless her - she really is the baby of the family now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Sounds really good, Rachel. Might be an idea to have 2 or 3 food stations so that the newbies don't miss out, a heavy bowl would do. I'm really pleased that your flock expansion is going so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 what about adding two battery hens to two omlet hens will they get along ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted November 18, 2006 Author Share Posted November 18, 2006 I wouldn't have thought two ex-battery hens would be able to stand up to two omlet hens. Eventually yes but they'd need time to recover i would have thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 I agree rachel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 18, 2006 Share Posted November 18, 2006 Best check with some of the experts on here about that - Buffie, Mel or Emma (theherd123) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
