ScissorChix Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Hi everyone really enjoying the forum and have decided to take the plunge, excuse me if this has already been asked........ After much hinting my OH has agreed to let me keep chooks in the garden. Couldn't get him to agree to eglu but over the moon at prospect of chooks . My friend prof has two eglus and an unused ark so the ark has made its way to my garden along with pet carrier food......... anyway......I am in the process of getting an area ready for chooks (now prolonged by back injury received yesterday diggin) my question is I have been looking at chooks that are available at recommended suppliers in my area Moorlands poultry and Garden Hens and have found they both have chooks i like the look of. Is it possible to get say two chooks from one supplier and one chook from another on the same day and put them all in the ark at the same time???? Has anyone tried this or should i just get them all from same place? i think i now the latter will be the answer because of sqabbling but just wanted it confirming really. Sorry for rabbling on i am a little over excited and only wish i hadnt crippled myself yesterday OH had to stay off work today to look after youngest and take oldest to school! I'm doing it again sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Well it'll be neutral territory so it may work but 2 will be used to eachother so guess you could have problems. Sorry that's not a lot of help is it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 If the two come from a pen of less than about 10 chickens I would say it could be tricky but from a large pen or separate pens you will have no problems adding in another from somewhere else and putting them all in together on the first day When I say no problems I mean no extra problems! there will be lots of pecking order sorting out which is often distressing to see but this is normal and you only need intervene if blood is drawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 When we got our second 5 chooks we got 3 from one place and 2 from another within a few hours. They were all from large groups and quite young 14-16 weeks. We have been lucky and have had no problems with them, they are a very settled bunch. We had much more trouble the first time when we got 3 then 1 died so we got another 2 about 3 months later. That was mayhem and I would not do that again in a hurry. We have 2 groups in seperate accomodation at the moment 2 older girls and the 5 youngsters. I think that you would be better introducing at least 2 and 2, the lone chicken would probably feel more threatened and may well become the bully as a result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 There will be some squabbling inevitably , but if you get 2 from different places, and put them in together at the same time, so that neither has the home advantage, then they should sort themselves out. The only minor drawback with this is that you don't get to quarantine them, which I always like to do when buying new hens, so as to avoid introducing illness into my existing flock. As both breeders that you recommend enjoy good reputations, I expect that the risk will be minimal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prof Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 hi! sorry about your back u shud av pretended that you did your back in BEFORE you actually did then you could have got OH to do the digging thats my technique dont tell my OH though If i was you i would put all 3 in the arc when its going dark, and then they will roost and fingers crossed, if they are as stupid as my orps are when they wake up they may not realise that there is a strange chuck and they should all smell the same too! you will of course need to watch them to check that there is not too much fighting for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScissorChix Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 hhhhhhmmmmm a lot to think about. The quarantine is a good point to consider. I think I might just try to get them from one place so I am not taking on too much to begin with. Should all chickens be vaccinated as it isn't advertised much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
