4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Rhesus]

We took the plunge today and having bought a Sussex and a Silver Link to add to our 3 girls of 5 days in the family. The girls ranged today for the first time and no problems. Had the new ones in the cube and enclosed in the run. They're all the same age and as the first 3 have only been with us since Tuesday, making the assumption that any pecking and neck holding will soon pass ? Elsie is getting the most attention (someone please put minds at rest). Just want some reassurance on the pecking order process.

 

All girls in the cube tonight without making a noise or fighting in the beds, so I've got fingers crossed.

 

So our hens are now.

 

- Doris arrived 2/9/09 (no yet)

- Hilda arrived 2/9/09 - first 2/9/09 and 2 more since

- Marjorie arrived 2/9/09 - first 4/9/09

 

new girls both arrived 6/09/09

 

- Light Sussex - Grace

- Silver Link - Elsie

 

 

ps - how do you put avatars on your profiles?

[chick wiggle]

Congratulations, glad you went with getting 2 new ones. They will just need to sort out the pecking order then they'll be fine. Shouldnt be too bad as basically they are all newbies Plus they are all going to bed together, thats good. Are you leaving the door open so they can get out when they want in the morning or are you getting up specially early to do the honours?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm introducing young girls to older girls so I'm assuming my pecking order will take longer than yours. I would think as they've only been with you 5 days, they should get used to each other quickly.

 

I've not seen any of this "neck holding" you talk about though . They're not causing injury, I presume, so I suppose you'll just have to keep an eye on things.

 

This shows you how to add an avatar .

[Chook n Boo Mum]

My DD (9) sorted my avatar (her choice, not mine ) , but ANH & CW, where are yours, they seem to have disappeared

 

Rhesus, the girls should sort themselves quickly enough, just be sure there is no real nastiness ie blood draw, and they have enough food & water stations so everyone gets enough to eat & drink.

 

Good luck with all your newbies

 

Sha x

[Rhesus]

Thanks everyone, and particularly Wildmum and Chicken Wiggle. I took your advice and got the new girls now, and used GoldenValley Poultry to supply them. I was impressed with the set up there as I was a bit nervous being new to this smallholding thing.

 

Anyway, update on the pecking order seems to be that Doris (the Pepperpot )who was the lowest rank of the original girls must be making the point that she isn't going to be low one now. The 2 new ones didn't come out at all (I let them out at 6.20am each day) but my wife free ranged the original three at about 11 and then Elise and Grace came out. and stayed in the run, so separate but free to get water and food (my biggest anxiety with the fighting really)

 

Things seem okay today, Grace and Elsie are a bit nervous and keep their distance, but no fighting really. I've just looked in now and all 5 are in the cube - Elsie and Grace look to be in the next box area which I can kind of live with at the moment.

 

Hope I can call on either of you for advice if I need it and thanks for the support

 

 

 

Si

 

so today's pecking order seems to be

 

- Hilda

- Marjorie

- Doris

- Grace

- Elsie

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I'm glad things are looking up for you Si, they are a worry, just like children but with sharper "weapons"

 

Snowdrop my lowest girl from GVP asserted her authority over Blossom last week, just to let her know that she (B) was not coming in above her (S) ..be prepared, sometimes the pecking order can change........Snowdrop started off lowest & escaped on to my lap everytime the eglu gate was opened, then Buttercup was lowest, then Snowdrop again....then we got all the new girls so they have spats every so often but no blood thankfully

 

Come on here for any problem, query or just a chook (or not!!) chat.....and remember no question is a silly one especially if you are worried, we were all beginners once

 

Sha x

[chick wiggle]

Thats good news Si, glad all seems to be going well, I do feel a little bit responsible! Dont worry, there is always someone on here to help with any worry or question, and I agree with wildmun no such thing as a silly question, we've all been there Dare I ask for photos yet ? We would love to see your new girls

[Rhesus]

Not sure I know how to do photos - I can see a button called Img on the post reply slot but not sure it attaches my photos.....I will crack this thing one day. I'm not normally baffled by these sorts of things

 

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Photos have to be up/downloaded...never sure, I'm such a techno-numpty!!....to Photobucket or Flickr or similar, then copied over...a hugely useful moderator will no doubt be along to post the proper link to all the instructions soon

 

***Found it***

 

Here you are..follow this link viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48619&view=unread#unread

 

Good luck,

 

Sha x