Biker Betty Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Hello all I sadly lost one of my chickens a couple of weeks ago and it seems she was the one keeping order all along - despite being the quietest of all! My two remaining girls are getting a bit boisterous now - knocking over everything in the coop on a daily basis, they're more noisy and they even attacked the cat the other day - poor little thing was hiding and terrified for about an hour afterwards! Anyway, I have been contemplating getting another couple of girls as I think it may re-dress the balance a little? My cousin who first got me into chicken keeping always said that two was a bad number to have and now I'm starting to think so. I guess I'm a bit worried about upsetting them a bit too much though - they're older ex batts and I'm not sure if young'uns would put them in their place or vice versa. Does anyone have any advice to offer? Thanks B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 There is no problem with getting 2 new hens if you decide to, however, the older girls will definitely beat up any newcomers so introductions will need to be managed carefully. There is loads of advice about introducing new hens in this this part of the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share Posted April 21, 2010 Thank you for that - do you think my two at the moment are getting agressive because there's only the two of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 As it was top chicken that died, they are having to redefine the pecking order, so a bit of argy bargy would be normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 My ex batts are bullies, so need to be kept in close check. Thankfully, they are 5th and 6th in my pecking order, and so more often than not my top chook and her 2nd in command will but them in their place when they pick on more peaceful girls, although they did miss a bullying session which meant I needed to isolate an injured girl So I would say, if you are going to introduce new girls, you need to do it SLOWLY, and be prepared to bumper bit the ex batts if they become bullies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share Posted April 22, 2010 The one that died was not the top chook actually - she was always the quieter friendly one who just observed and took a beating from the top girl on the odd occasion - she was a really nice natured chicken and I miss her terribly. My head chook is still very much in charge of the other one and has always been a bit agressive - I think that No 2 has now decided to follow her example! They are funny little things aren't they? I have a spare coop I can set up (albeit a very makeshift one!) so I think I'll put the new ones in there and get them slowly used to one another first. Let them out separately etc at first and then start introducing them to each other as well as moving the spare coop a bit closer every few days. Is about 3 weeks a good introductory period? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 I have a spare coop I can set up (albeit a very makeshift one!) so I think I'll put the new ones in there and get them slowly used to one another first. Let them out separately etc at first and then start introducing them to each other as well as moving the spare coop a bit closer every few days. Is about 3 weeks a good introductory period? It varies from intro to intro. If you observe their behaviour when they free range together you can assess whether they are ready or not, and you can deter bad behaviour with a water pistol. I have done 5 sets of intros (on my 5th now), my quickest took 2 weeks, my longest 8 weeks and counting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 Some intros can be quick and some can take a little while - chooks are little people so it depends on the individuals There is some great advice on intro here My quickest introduction took about two weeks - it should of been the hardest cos it was a solo chook of a submissive breed but she broke out of her rabbit run and moved herself in whilst I was out at work and left OH in charge My longest introduction took about 14 maybe 16 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share Posted April 22, 2010 Ouch! I had no idea it could take that long! I'd better make sure it's at a time when I don't have a holiday booked then. I like the idea of standing around with a water pistol though... not sure the girls will! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 I only have two and they have the most wonderful equilibrium. they're like best mates. unless there are treats around in which case the efforts they will go to to block the other one from getting to them is hilarious. they're not nasty or violent, they just keep turning their bodies so the other one can't get in. it's brilliant. sorry.... digression... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted April 22, 2010 Author Share Posted April 22, 2010 Don't get me wrong, my two are really best mates - it's just that they're forming a bit of a gang culture and rebelling I think! They're just being constantly naughty!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
