Best liner/ bedding for drop tray

[Guest]

Hello

I have noticed that a lot of people are recommending buying 3 hens not 2. But if you think of the old saying that 3's a crowd then this is not the best idea and I have had experience of that. If you buy 3 hens you might be unlucky like me and get 2 hens that get on perfectly and one that is a bully or in some cases is bullied. I have spoken to many friends who breed hens and I wish I talked to them when I brought mine. They said that the best option is buying an even number of hens so they can always pair up, they refuse selling anyone odd numbers of hens because in most cases there has been 1 left out.

Would love to hear your opinions thanks

[AEH]

Hi - what you have said makes sense to me. My 3 lovely australorp bantams have been with me for a month and two of them get on fine but the third is being bullied (to a greater or lesser degree depending on their mood!). The only positive to this is that the one being bullied (or lowest in the pecking order) is becoming very tame and prefers to spend time with me rather than the other two. I wish I had thought about the numbers thing a bit more before going for 3 but it does seem to be a number that is frequently recommended, presumably because 1 chicken won't be happy on her own. But being new to this what do I know!!

[Busybird]

I haven't heard this before but don't know many 'old time' chicken keepers

 

I started with three and had no problems with pecking or bullying. When one died I was glad that I still had two as it meant that I didn't feel the need to rush getting more. I have, since, added to my flock in even numbers but only because it suited me to do so.

 

It is always interesting to hear others views

[Geoid]

I started with 2, when one died, I got 2 more, there was a bit of fighting at first, but they now get on perfectly.

[docsquid]

I have three, absolutely no problems at all. Just a little squaring up to each other on the first day, but no pecking or any bullying. There are two Gingernuts and one Pepperpot, and they get on fine. I'd always get at least two more hens together though.

[sewitall]

My chickens won't arrive until May but I have changed my mind and gone for 3 instead of 2 (2 Gingernuts and a Pepperpot) after reading the various posts on the forum. Pleased to read docsquid's comment that having 3 won't necessarily create a problem. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I started out with 3 and they got on brilliantly . Not a cross word ever . My two new girls got bullied a bit at first but now they're all good pals.

 

I think a lot of it depends on the personality of the chicken.

[Guest]

As I meantioned it doesn't happen to everyone but people should keep it in mind that 3 can have problems and from what things mine did was ripping feathers out of the necks of the other 2 and making them bleed exsessivly, I think people should think about having an even number. Ofcourse everyone saying you have had lucky doesnt mean everyone will and especially since when i got my 3 it was my first chickens ever. I didnt have any help so this post was meant to help first timers I only met my friends because they are parents of my friends and some are my parents friends. If you are a lucky person well done but think not everything is at it seems.