Eglu Cube Coop For Sale

[Guest]

Just put the chickens together and it is heartbreaking hearing both sides screams.

 

I just want to go out and hug them and say everything will be ok.

 

BUT I CANT I HAVE TO LET THEM GET IT OUT.

 

I think I need to move from the living room so I cant hear them

 

Also I have no idea how to put pictures into a public place on photobucket any help ?

Edited May 18, 2010 by Guest

[Chucky Mama]

Do you have somewhere where you can keep the newbies separate so that you can introduce them more slowly?

[Guest]

No we got told that the up front option is the best way because the chickens arnt aggitated.

 

It is just my old 2 hate confrontation and they want to come out and the new 2 just want to get out.

[Christian]

But what if your new hens have a disease or aren't well. Without at least a weeks quarantine, you could spread it to your whole flock....!

 

Each to their own, but I would always quarantine new hens for at least a week first.

[Guest]

The place where we got them did a full medical before they reach leaving age so no disease. I know you can never be sure but if something happens something happens.

 

The marsh daisy's are off asleep and the old hens are making so much noise.

[Guest]

Everything seems ok now it is just the 2 oldies being spoilt brats and not used to being put back so early.

 

The others are now fast asleep in one box.

[Chucky Mama]

The place where we got them did a full medical before they reach leaving age so no disease. I know you can never be sure but if something happens something happens.

It is always best to keep new stock isolated, whilst they may be checked and clear of disease when you bought them the stress of moving can and does frequently bring out illness and disease that may not have been evident at the time of examination. Also sadly not all breeders are as honest as they would have us believe. There are endless posts on this forum re breeders passing on poor stock.

The introduction of your new chickens to your old need not be stressful for you or them. It takes a bit more time but will be stress and injury free. Of course you must do what you feel is best. Don't feel pressured Rhys into doing things that you don't feel comfortable doing - the old ways are not necessarily the best ways

[Guest]

I feel more comfortable doing it this way because i am a stressful person and we did this with the dogs they just need a pecking order sorted.

 

The place we got them from are 1st prize winning birds there stock is amazingly good have never had any problems. If anything happens then it is my fault.

[Chucky Mama]

I would agree in the main to this approach with dogs as domesticated dogs will rarely kill another entering their 'pack' particularly as they respond to us as pack leaders which prevents real harm being caused. This is however not the same with chickens which will happily get stuck in and go for the kill. I however have to respect your approach and hope that it works out for you. All I ask is that you remain open minded and consider other methods should you find that things don't settle quickly tomorrow. Again whilst your breeders are thankfully reputable I would still advise anyone on quarantining new stock because of the fact that stress can result in allowing a previously undiagnosed illness to the fore. Zoos for example always keep new stock seperate until they have settled. Good luck Rhys, let us know how things go tomorrow?

[Guest]

Everything is ok.

 

 

They have 2 nest boxs and they are in one all together.

 

If anything happens tomorrow it happens.

 

But although they are chickens animals are animals if anything was going to happen severly bad it would have happened. I understand they are different to dogs but it depends on the temperment of the animals at hand.

[Plum]

Good luck I do hope they settle quick. If injuries happen and blood is drawn do seperate them for a bit.

 

I would love to see some pics of your chickens when you can

[Guest]

We do have a spare couple of dog cages but the chickens aree so so so calm.

 

And thanx

 

Also I cant put pictures on here I have no idea how photobucket works

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I use Flickr. I prefer it to Photobucket .

[chelsea]

I feel more comfortable doing it this way because i am a stressful person and we did this with the dogs they just need a pecking order sorted.

 

 

I'm also a born worrier and tend to get easily stressed. To be honest I would find doing what you have done more stressful than seperating the flock. If you were to give the flock space and time to get to know each other you would eliminate the conflict, stop nasty bullying and potential injuries. In my own opinion it is better to keep newbies and oldies seperated first.

[Plum]

On photobucket picture click on share drop down at top of photo, then more options and then get link code tab then copy the img code and paste it on here oh resize to medium first - another drop down tag at top of photo.

[Guest]

I'm also a born worrier and tend to get easily stressed. To be honest I would find doing what you have done more stressful than seperating the flock. If you were to give the flock space and time to get to know each other you would eliminate the conflict, stop nasty bullying and potential injuries. In my own opinion it is better to keep newbies and oldies seperated first.

 

No im stressing less this way than a way that takes potentially months if there are any problems their big enclosure is being built and will be done this weekend. So push comes to shove i seperate them.

[sewitall]

I've only had chickens for 2 days and I have read on this forum and in countless books that slow introductions are the right way. If the chickens were in a field then fair enough let nature take it's course, hopefully the weaker ones can take refuge somewhere until they are accepted by the rest of flock. I have already learned that chickens can inflict awful injuries on weaker ones. I can only hope that you have miles of space for them to at least give the weaker ones a chance. I must admit that I am feeling quite upset reading your post.

Angela

[tom123]

Whenever I get new birds they go into a seperate run for a week out of sight of the others. If all is well then they get put in at night and left to sort it out in the morning, I keep an eye and remove if necessary. I only do this with the birds kept in electric fencing. With birds in runs I do the slow method as they can't get away from each other.

[abwsco]

What age are the ones you are introducing compared to your existing ones? Chickens can and do kill each other.

[Christian]

I am sure Rhys wants what is best for his hens and is being offered valuable advice here on the forum.

We all have our own way of doing things, all different and all correct in our own minds. It does seem a tad strange that you are finding the introductions 'Heartbreaking' and want to stop the screaming, so why don't you?

 

I hope your hens are ok Rhys and wish you all the best with them.

[Egluntyne]

It will be far less tramatic for them and for you if you do a **Slow introduction**.

 

I agree with what others have said about a period of quarantine too. It is sound practice.

 

If you put several feeders and drinkers out, the older ones won't be able to man them all, and the younger ones will be able to snatch a bite to eat. Food issues tend to be a big part of the introduction period.

[sadietoo]

Can only echo what others have said here...whilst some go with the chuck everyone in together route..others of us (softies perhaps?) prefer to let them accept each other in time with less bloodshed...If it is upsetting you Rhys, or you are not comfortable with what is happening then it isn't the right thing for you to do, no matter what the breeder said.

 

If things don't settle down tomorrow very early, then I would recommend separating them and taking things nice and slowly and gently and soon they will be integrated far less painfully for all involved

[Daffodill]

When I introduced 2 hens quickly (after one afternoon of being in view but separate) We sat on the side lines to step in. There was one spat when my top chicken took on the top chicken of the other 2 which lasted seconds and then they stopped, over the next day the original reigning hen spent a bit of time reminding the new ones who was boss by moving in on the food etc. but there was no noise or nasty pecking and now they are totally united-so I guess I was lucky-if there had been any big fights I would have separted them and gone down the slow into route. I think I would always have a go at a fairly quick intro to see what happens but I would find it far more stressfull to leave chickens together that were not happy- I think you know in yourself if its working or not.

Good luck

[Plum]

How are they this morning Rhys, has peace reigned Egluntynes advice about extra feeders and water is good.

[bronze]

I'm the sort of person who puts them straight in together (after quarantine) but I do it at night. I have to admit though I would never listen to them scream or get to the point where it felt heartbreaking. If that happened I would and have done it gently. It took about 4 days of going in together at night and separate during the day