reggiep Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 We recently lost one of our two chickens due to illness. Therefore we are a one chicken family. I'm worried that Nellie might fret on her own, are hens OK by themselves? I guess we need to find some more company for her. As I have never introduced new chick to old ones I am a bit confused on where to go from here. I only have a regular eglu so can only house three chickens. So should I look to get two more? If so I guess I'll have to build some Heath Robinson contraption to house the new ones to keep them apart. Also I need to find out where I can buy more chicks near Runcorn in Cheshire? Can anyone give any suggestions? Thanks Reg and Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I was once in a situation like this. i brought ONE new smaller hen, put it in and they started fighting, so i put the one that was fighting in a carrier and left it in there for 20 mins (with food and water) the next day they was getting on like a house on fire!! Some chickens can get lonely , but can live on there own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Some advice here **click** I would definitely get her some company. They might squabble a bit to start with, but they need friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I'm sorry you lost your chıcken. We were recently ın thıs sıtuatıon too. Chıckens are flock anımals and are happıer wıth company. After quarantınıng we ıntroduced two new chıckens over the course of a week, fırst by keepıng them caged whıle the exıstıng chıcken free-ranged round them for a couple of days. then lettıng them free-range together and fınally sleep together. Three weeks ın and they are all best of frıends. Thıs lınk may be helpful: viewtopic.php?t=12688 Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Garden Poultry are in Kinglsey, Frodsham : (01928) 787979 Roddy Lane The Hatch, Kingsley Frodsham WA6 8HG Might be worth ringing first as their business was going to auction, though I do know they have restocked recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiep Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I feel a bit weird trying to replace our lost chicken already but I guess we need to get our remaining girl some company. The links are very helpful and thanks for the breeder advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Don't feel bad reggiep - chickens need company, so you are doing the right thing. Do you know what type you would like to get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verity F Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Victoria's Poultry is at the end of the M56 in Chester: www.victoriaspoultry.co.uk or email feild983@btinternet.com (don't know where I've put her number! ) Sue who runs it is lovely and very helpful - I got my three Pekins from her last July; and despite me being in Sheffield, I'd go to her again before anyone else. She doesn't have every breed of chicken under the sun, but I'm sure she has more than what's on the website even - it would certainly be worth getting in contact to see what she has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloud9 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Hi, so sorry that you are in this situation. I have recently lost two of my three girls, the last one being on Saturday morning I felt so so bad that they had died I almost gave my remaining girl away but the lovely people on here persuaded me otherwise. I bought two new girls yesterday from a local lady. They are gorgeous. I was going to put them in temporary accommodation and introduce them slowly as suggested but the lady said just to wait until it was dark and then pop the two new girls into the eglu and they would all come out friends this morning. I have to say I was worried but they did just that!!! No squabbles at all - can't believe it!! Hope you get sorted soon. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I would definitely get her some friends asap. However, when we got our chcicken of fate on Tuesday we got her a lone friend and the chicken of fate (Noolde) has been bullying her friend ever since. So I would advise getting 2 more chickens. Sorry to but in with a question, but any suggestions on how I stop the bullying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...