ballgunner Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 i'm excited all over again as we are getting 2 new battery hens tommorow has anyone got any tips please and will our other chickens peck them sensless.we only have an eglu and shall we keep them in the pet carriers for the first day. please give me advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Hi, I've never had to introduce new chickens but I'm sure there are others that can offer good advice.....just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow and I look forward to hearing how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Afraid I dont know but I'm being excited with you. I get my chooks tomorrow too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Good luck to you too Bronze! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted January 19, 2007 Author Share Posted January 19, 2007 they are only 50p each and they should enjoy the rest of their lives with us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Bargain. Definitely let us know how the introductions go. I plan to add a battery later and am a bit worried especially as it can only be one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lera Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 I would keep them be separate for longer than a day if you can. Can you use a sheet of chickenwire or similar to divide the Eglu run in half, so that they are each confined to a smaller space? If you can put the new hens in the Eglu coop end and give the existing hen(s?) a basket to roost in in the other end, they'll be a bit cramped but they will have a chance to get used to one another without violence. When they're asleep, you can put them all in the Eglu coop. When they wake up, you can separate them again. Repeat until comfortable to mix. This worked well for me. When I did let the old hen near the two battery hens, I did it in the garden and there was very little pecking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 There's a sticky at the top of this section about introducing new hens... try here: http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2941 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 We're going to help with a battery hen rescue tomorrow, so may see you there, ballgunner! Really looking forward to it, but a bit anxious as its the first time we've done it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 we have set up a run in the bedroom. so they will stay there for a few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Somebody....I think it was Snowy Howells....had a very ingenious method of dividing the run by making a kind if portcullis arrangement with what looked like garden canes.....There's a pic somewhere. I thought it looked a lot easier to put up and take down than chicken wire.....and cheaper too. I'm sure some kind Omleteer will post a link to the pic....I can't find it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 i think ive seen it to green garden canes in the middle of the run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 im leaving to get them right now bye ill tell you about them when i get back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Here it is: http://club.omlet.co.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=10444 Simple and effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 I hadn't seen that pic before, what a great idea. That, together with Lera's advice sound the best plan. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 we've just got them they are called bunty and poppy. poppy is a bit pecky but otherwise they are ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 How about some photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lera Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Eglutine, that bamboo cane photo is excellent. Ballgunner, good luck with the new girls. Hope they're in reasonable nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Thank you Lera...I wish I could take the credit for it...but it is Snowy's invention. I am so impressed with its sheer simplicity.....Necessity really is the mother of invention! Also: A couple of bundles of garden canes will cost less than a fiver, but a roll of chicken wire will cost about £10-15 ....and its vicious stuff, difficult to work with and it snags one's stockings terribly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballgunner Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 please help,bunty has pecked poppy and her comb is bleeding. bunty keeps on having sharp pecks at poppy.i think it is because bunty can see blood. can anyone give me advice so bunty stops please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Don't panic!! Separate them for tonight. Clean the wounds and see if you can get some anti peck spray or similar tomorrow. If you put them together tomorrow, stay around, and squirt the aggressive one with a water pistol every time she does it....she might get the message. I'm sure someone more experienced than me will offer further/better advice. I'm sure they'll be fine in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Hi Ballgunner - I havent had to deal with this problem so I'm afraid I'm not much help. But I assume they'll have gone to roost by now, and so maybe it'll be better in the morning because that particular wound will have stopped bleeding. If the pecking keeps on, then you could try bumper bits, which I gather lots of people have had success with. I'm sure someone will be along soon with advice on this and other anti-pecking + peck healing solutions. I'd love to see your photos, by the way! We were there helping with the unloading today, and it'd be really good to see how some of those sad, bedraggled little chooks recover! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Yes, Ballgunner, you're right that seeing the blood will mean the pecking continues. Are they roosting now? If they're sleeping now they should be fine overnight. Tomorrow, one will have to show they are boss, and now you know which one it is! Instead of having their food and water in just one place, try and have it at 3 stations to start, a heavy bowl will do. Most fights will be over food and if there is plenty, this helps, as Top Hen can't be in 3 places at once! Remember they are used to just trying to survive, so having a friendly companion is a new idea but I'm sure they'll appreciate it soon. Good luck tomorrow, keep us up to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 How are things today Ballgunner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
