Unsecure chicken perches

[orp_lover]

I apologise if this subject has come up but we are extending our run, by quite a bit, as we decided we couldn't cope with the amount of poop on the patio when the girls free range. It's about 6x10 feet in total, so very big. Anyway I have now decided that we'd like some more chickens, maybe two, but definitely one more. How do we go about introducing them?

[Plum]

You'll get lots of different answers on this one

 

I would get two because they then have a friend. I kept them seperate at first to check they were fit but also so they could see the others, then let the others out around them. The next step was out in the garden but omlet netting between them until they would eat out of my hand together through the net. Then let them in garden together with jet of water to stop any pecking etc. Then in divided run, then sleeping in divided cube, then I think I just let them get on with it. It took weeks but was worth it.

 

Most non-omlet keepers I know put them together at night and let them get on with it but it's not for me.

 

Good luck, a lovely orp.

[Egluntyne]

Advice on managing intros **here**

[littlehenny]

We had 3 hens in our Eglu but sadly lost Tulip a few weeks ago Down to 2, we decided to introduce 2 POL warrens and did this over the half term week so we could be around keeping an eye on them. We picked them up on bank holiday monday and my lovely OH rigged up some extra omlet netting to the existing fencing to create a little separate run for the new girls. We were surprised that our older two didn't seem that bothered by them, but they do have a fairly large area to free range in. At night we put the two new ones in a cat basket and put them in the shed overnight. We did this for a few days then let the new girls into the garden to free range all together. We stayed and watched them, but the worst that happened was that the older girls pecked the younger ones if they got too close We did this for a few days and also put out extra water and food to make sure the younger ones had access, and then after about 5-6 days we took the cat basket away and let them get on with it! The first night the younger girls went straight in the Eglu and the older two stood guard til pretty late before giving up and going to bed! And that, pretty much, was that. Next day all were living pretty well together, though we do get the occasional peck or chase if they try to get too close - it really was much easier than I thought it was going to be and my older girls have even stopped protesting and are laying again Best of luck, it will be worth it!

[lillybettybabs]

I introduced two new ones around three weeks ago,

I have a cube with run but also my girls have half of the garden netted off with elec netting.

I put the new two in late at night then let them all out very early in the morning, I put six feed and water stations around the garden so the new ones would not get bullied when trying to eat.

There was a little chasing but i think having a level number (two olds,two new) worked very well and they get on fine

apart from a little chasing when meal worms are on the menu(normally Lilly ).

[scarlettohara]

I have had 2 new girls for 3 weeks, they stayed in Eglu + run (others are in cube) for 5 days where older girls could see and fr around them, then fr together and back in eglu at night. All has gone well no injuries, a little bit of chasing and pecking. Last night I put new girls in cube with others to sleep and put them back in eglu early this morning, all OK - I will do this until Wednesday when my new WIR comes then they will be together

 

I followed the intro above.