3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[midori]

I sadly think I may already know the answer...

 

We have been after a/some Cream Legbars for ages, but unable to get any POL/older hens. We then decided we'd maybe start looking at hatching eggs or chicks and grow them on ourselves.

 

Then I spoke to a breeder last night who has sold all his CL's, but has one year old hen left who we can have. I know introducing one is not usually a good idea, and discussed this with him at some length, he felt there could be problems and if there were I would obviously have to take steps to deal with it, but that generally it went ok. He also has other hens the same age, so getting two is an option.

 

The problem I have with getting two is we really didn't want two. If we got chicks we were going to rear them to POL and then a couple of friends were interested in any pullets we didn't keep. Obviously by then our hen would be integrated with our flock. We have a borrowed second house for the two new hens we got on Saturday, a cochin and a Welsummer, but they insist on sleeping in our 'main' house with the others. That house was designed for 6-10 birds (he did say very roomy for six, which he preferred) by a local chap, and we have 7 birds, but as one is a cochin she is pretty big. All our current hens usually squeeze onto one perch, leaving the other empty, except the cochin who prefer the nestbox, presumably due to her size?

 

Because we have introduced two new birds last Saturday, would the new hen stick with them? Our girls have been good about introductions, lots of noise when the newbies were in the run, but no fighting upon letting them all together, and although the Welsummer gets the occasional threat of a peck if she is too pushy about getting to food/treats, she's not being bullied and all can get to food/water easily.

 

What would you do? Try and introduce the one and see how it goes, or just get two, and if they decide to all sleep in one house, should I seperate them when they are 'asleep' or just leave them to it?

 

(sorry this was so long! )

[lillybettybabs]

Have you got a very friendly chicken that you could put into a run with the new girl?

If the new chicken bonded with the friendly one she would have someone to help her when being introduced.

Just an idea mind.

[Redwing]

Have you got a very friendly chicken that you could put into a run with the new girl?

If the new chicken bonded with the friendly one she would have someone to help her when being introduced.

Just an idea mind.

 

Thats a good idea and your only option really, the new one should stay in isolation alone for a week though first

 

Always quarantine new hens

[Margalot]

I dont know where you are but have this breeder of legbars near me?

 

http://www.jonescountryfayre.co.uk

 

Michelle

[midori]

Thanks. I am in Northern Ireland. There are a few breeders, but I wasn't happy when I visited a couple.

 

I am aware of quarantining, we had intially intended to quarantine the Welsummer and Cochin, but the noise from the others when they could see the two newbies in the run was absolutely horrendous, so we gave in in the end and let them out as I didn't want to upset the neighbours.

 

Would most things show up within a week do you think?

 

I think maybe we'll have to see if the breeder has another similar aged hen we can introduce at the same time and hope my lot can keep quiet during the quarantine. He does also breed French copper black and blue marans and leghorns, both of which I'd potentially be interested in. Obviously leghorn are fairly small too, which might help if they still eventuallu all insist on one henhouse between all of them! (or I suppose I could trade up to a bigger henhouse... that'd please hubby no end... )

[Roobaloo]

I'm doing a similar thing...strangely enough, with Cream Legbars too!!

 

I hated the idea of one girl having to be introduced by herself, but we'd really like a third hen as Toph seems to be developing into a half hearted broody which leaves Suki alone for a large amount of the day and she's getting distressed. Nothing we can do for now but we don't want this to go long term.

 

I'm currently hatching 12 eggs (started today) the plan being that if we get three or more hens, we'll raise them to POL, then start introductions by mixing them individually with one of the existing girls...so it's one on one. Then start introducing them as a flock out free ranging...then, if all is quiet...I would put one chosen hen in with my girls and rehome the rest (my Mum is looking into getting hens...if she's not ready, I have a friend who has already said he'd take them as he has lots of space!)

 

If we only get two hens, we'll raise them and introduce them both. If we only get one then we'll play it by ear...

 

All that said, I bet we only end up with a cockerel or two...or a bunch of infertile eggs!!