What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[l_ouise]

Hello.

 

Ok, so i went to see some POL hens yesterday and there were two groups kept in different sheds and they don't mix them at any point.

 

Well, i asked the lady if they would be ok if i got two chickens from one shed and a single chicken from the other shed and she just said yes but i don't really understand why they would be.

 

And if they would be ok, then surely if i got the single chicken from a shed on a completely different farm it would be the same?

 

I don't have any chickens yet and i think i will get them all on the same day so would it be ok putting them together if they all don't know each other or the environment?

 

Thanks

[Squawk]

I think that even if you took 3 chickens from the same shed they would still need to establish a pecking order as you are taking them out of one flock and creating a new one. So it wouldnt matter if all three chickens were from different sheds as long as they are about the same age/size.

 

Hopefully someone more experienced will come along and give advice

[Roobaloo]

You'll be taking three 'random' hens...and putting them in new surroundings on neutral territory....it won't be the same as having two who have already established a pecking order and claimed your home as theirs, then bringing in a new one...they will all be on equal footing - all newcomers, all nervous and a bit frightened....and all knowing that the basic survival instinct of "safety in numbers".

 

There will be arguments as there will still need to be a pecking order but that would still be true if they were sisters you bought them from the same shed.

[l_ouise]

Ah, that's great! Thanks