kerryegg Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 After a very sad week I have now just one of my original Omlet hens purchased in February 2008. Ginger already seems very lonely so I would like to get some more. Thought 3 which I wish I had started with initially. Housed in an eglu in a WIR. I could make a separate run inside the WIR using the eglu run which is spare since we built the WIR. But where would they sleep at night? Could I pop them in the eglu for the night and get them out at first light, I shut the door at night or would they be safer in a makeshift coop, I was considering a large plastic crate and the old Omlet wooden roosting bars. My friend doesn't bother with segregation but she has a larger flock and 2 cockerels. Just considering all the possibilities. Ideally like a cube leaving free eglu but no chance I'm afraid. Would appreciate any advice or information about your experiences. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Good to hear you're getting company for Ginger I would follow your plan for seperate sleeping, it may not be for long. It's not often that introductions work by putting them in together straight away. I've only done introductions once and took my time. It must be better to go slow when introducing to one chicken. Look forward to meeting them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 I did the same as you're planning with the Omlet run within my WIR. I bought a cheap pet carrier for the newbies to sleep in. I put an old towel and some black plastic over the top and they seemed very happy with it. After a few weeks I started putting them in at night with the others. You have to be careful though as Poppy got pecked badly on the comb before I'd let them out . If you left the door open it might help but then you might get bullying once they were out in the open. Take it very slowly is my advice . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 I also use a pet carrier when doing introductions in a segregated part of the WIR, its has worked well (am on set of intros number 5 ) I had one blip on set 4 where 1 girl was integrated and 1 wasn't and got attacked, but she's gone back to square 1 with the 2 new intro 5 girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 My newbies are now in with the flock full time. I bought a second hand Forsham Ark for £30 (it can be used for a broody coop or poorly girls). My two new Maran Bantams lived in for nearly two weeks, they did go free ranging with the flock after the first week - some pecking initially but nothing much, they initiallly kept away, but spent more and more time together. I had put food down around the newbies coop in the first week so they were associated with good things! Then after another week of separate sleeping, but supervised free ranging sessions I sprayed them all with a little anti peck and put them all in together at night in the cube. Two weeks on all is fine the newbies are at the bottom of the pecking order, but just have the occasional peck directed at them if they get to close to Hen Solo. What did surprise me was who was aggressive - not the hens I thought would be! Anyway all is happy and no one got hurt, so it all went very well . Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted April 4, 2010 Author Share Posted April 4, 2010 Thanks for your replies. Please see Easter surpises if you are interested in my progress. I seem to be living in the cold and windy garden, at least no rain today yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
