MaxBaz Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Still have a dilemma as to whether or not to seperate out the most dominant of the "older" girls when I introduce them to the "newbies" this weekend. They have been eyeballing each other since Friday and - surprisingly - the quietest of the original girls seems to have taken the most offence with the new girls. Should I keep Nan in the Cube whilst I let the two groups mix in the gardn? Also do I let them mix for an hour or so or leave them to get on with it all day? All the information about Introducing has been a great help - but doesn't cover this particular dilemma. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 The quietest of the group is probably bottom of the pecking order and is worried about losing her place - that is probably why she is creating I personally, would put them all together. The quicker they mix, the sooner they should become one flock. Only separate them if any of them are severely picked on and hopefully it will work out ok. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annettec Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 We allowed ours to free range together while we were out in the garden and then squirted Hilda when she approached the newbies she soon got the message, am about to introduce a new trio though so hope it works again ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 my 2 new girls are out now with the other 5 the one I thuorght i'd have trouble with is the that gets out of the new one way one of the ones I didn't expect to be any trouble is the one that has taken the most dislike to them but at the moment I'm just letting them get on with it and watching from a distance tonight is the 4th time out together it's also the first time I've left them to it just play it by ear if you get one that's been a real pain put her back in the run on her own for a short time to cool off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I always have a "sin bin" on stand by when introducing new hens. When they are all together, any of the older hens who is being particularly nasty or bossy gets taken out of the big group and put in the "sin bin" , usually another fenced off area a short distance away. I keep doing this until only the calmest of the oldest hens remain and see how long they can all get along for, as you can never quite predict who is going to be the worst trouble makers. A water squirt gun on hand is always useful too to immediately stop any pecking . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I let mine out together with the Omlet netting between them and I'm glad I did but that was before I learnt about squirting water at the aggressor, that really helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
