fluffyknickers Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Hi all, now I have my WIR I was thinking about extending the flock - my current flock is 3 chickens (from omlet - two and one ) I do have a few questions though to see what is possible... When introducing chickens I assume its best to add two newbies at a time - is this correct? I have an eglu which states up to 4 chickens or 5 bantams - so could I have 3 chickens and two bantams? I only have one eglu and no other area for introductions so is it possible with a small flock to add one or two newbies to a flock of three without problems and having to seperate? I do have a cat box I could seperate them at night if needs be. Thanks as ever. michelle x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 If you get your bantams at the same time, I would let them settle down together for a while, and then introduce them en masse to the main flock via the slow intro method . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 Ah so not possible then if I dont have a seperate area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 I wouldn't You may be lucky and have no probs, but if not it's very tricky to sort out. Plus adding small to big chooks can be a problem too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 ah so not possible without a seperate area. I just dont know if it would be possible to create a seperate area in the WIR. Will have a look. If I could how long would I have to keep them seperate for. I have read that people have just put new hens in to a small flock without seperation - is this a big NO NO? Thanks everyone. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 I do add hens sometimes with intro but only where there is a cockerel in the pen and the newbie is a similar size and age to the existing hens, both no in your case sorry At the very very least they would need a weeks isolation in a separate pen anyway Personally I wouldnt even contemplate just putting them in, I know its not what you want to hear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 Thanks its all good to know. I will have a look to see if I can divide it to get an intro area. I am sure the man who made it could make something or I had a thought that I could perhaps use some netting or wire to create an area and at night they could go in a cat box with bedding. Thanks Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 I do add hens sometimes with intro but only where there is a cockerel in the pen and the newbie is a similar size and age to the existing hens, both no in your case sorry At the very very least they would need a weeks isolation in a separate pen anyway Personally I wouldnt even contemplate just putting them in, I know its not what you want to hear I couldn't agree more; you need to have separate accommodation, both to isolate them and to make sure that they have time to get used to each other. Try this thread for guidelines. Personally, I'd not mix the two different sizes; some people have done so eventually, but there have been more calamities than success stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 have got two new bantams and few things to ask so started new thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 viewtopic.php?f=5&t=62877 Will lock this up them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
