Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Chuck Man Dan]

Hi all,

 

I have been keeping chickens now for 1 year and enjoying reading advice on this forum for longer however this is my first post so hello.

 

I currently have 3 chickens that are very happy but am looking to extend my flock. I am building a new WIR that is 12ft x 10ft in a completely new area away from where my existing flock are settled and an area where there is plenty of free ranging space. I have seen 6 hens and 2 cockerals for sale by someone who is in the unfortunate position of having to get rid of them. Obviously they are an established flock as are mine. Am I going to be ok mixing both groups to the new WIR at the same time or should I keep them seperate and then allow them to mix gradually?

 

Also how will my 3 ladies cope with the presence of 2 new cockerals? They have not seen one before!

 

Thanks

 

Dan

[Egluntyne]

Am not sure that 2 cockerels would be able to co-exist happily in the confines of a WIR, tbh, as they will fight over the girls. I think that would be your major worry.

[Chuck Man Dan]

Thank you for the reply.

 

The chickens will all only be in the run for the first week whilst they get used to their surroundings. After that they will have just under an acre to freerange in throughout the day.

 

The adjacent field (around 5acres) has about 250 free range hens which the farmer claims has minimal issues from predators.