Tutti Frutti Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Is this possible? Good old chicken maths again. We started with three. I was happy with that but Penny died so that left 2 x 30 week old hybrids We adopted two x 18 month old ex-barnies and we're on Day 10 of the introductions - thankfully the constant shouting has stopped but they still bicker occasionally through the mesh divide of my WIR! But here comes the crunch... I've seen a gorgeous Speckledy who's free to a good home as she's barren Oh I so want to give her a good home and it could now be feasible (new Eglu is coming this week so we now have 3 houses!). So my question is - is this completely barking mad and just not possible? Or is now the perfect time to sneak in another girl, whilst the other two pairs are too preoccupied with each other? My big concern is that she'd be completely on her own, separated from both pairs of girls (my original two are feisty and the ex-barnies give as good as they get and are hard as nails) so I'd have three groups at various stages. The last thing I'd want to do is stress her Someone please tell me to forget it! Or not Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Oooo, I'd say Go for it!!! What about-getting one more hen on the same day that you collect this one, then you'd have 3x pairs-none of them would be lonely and being that you have 3 houses, why not?? 6 is a good number I reckon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 hey I don't think it's any dafter than taking on a Dorking (free to a good home) while introing 3 pekins to 5 hybrids. I say go for it. I managed with only two houses and runs it won't be easy but then introducing never is. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I took on two at Easter only to find out that one was a cockerel and I ended up introducing just one to my others. As long as you have separate accomodation, it will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I'm going to be the voice of doom here and say don't bite off more than you can chew You are quite new to it all and have now taken on two ex barn hens who need a bit of extra help with the wide world and adding a single hen to that will be hard going There will then be two established hens, two with big barn bad manners and a newbie While some hens genuinely never lay most non laying hens are older and have stopped laying so you could be dealing with an older hen who may challenge the pecking order top spot At some point that single hen will need to be indtroduced to two or four others which will be hard, until then she has to live on her own which is no fun for her You cant rehome every needy chicken so dont feel too bad, speckeldies are widely available and you can get a couple later down the line when this indtroduction has settled down I would say dont do it but knowng how recklessly mpulsive I am others would say that I have done a lot worse myself At least think about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Thank you everyone! I'm so I'm glad I asked, even though I felt daft for asking !I knew it wouldn't be straightforward. Plus add into the mix that I don't know the new speckledy's temperament - she's only 50 weeks old so in between the other four, agewise. She'll get a good home somewhere I'm sure, I need to get my two pairs merged before I expand my flock!! If I was her owner, I wouldn't be giving her away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 It can be done.... I have found that taking it slowly worked best for me. I haven't tried to rush it ever. It all so much depends on their individual characters, your accomadations and runs AND most importantly , how much time you have for supervised free ranging ANDhow much run space you have. sooooooo many variables, And pants weather for all this! good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Well, just to add my two penneth, I got four ex barn hens then 7 days later added two new ex barn hens straight in with the 4 ex barn hens (following advice from the BHWT) and none of them batted an eyelid. The only problem might be if you tried that and it didn't work and she had to go in the third house then she'd be on her own which wouldn't be good. Tough choice, there are sooooo many hens out there.... BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
