Eggy Bread Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 Can someone please tell me if it's better to get one or two new hens? My gingernut ranger had to be put to sleep at the beginning of the week. We're both gutted and it's left Delia on her own. Ideally I would rather just get the one as we don't have a big garden. They free range in the light evenings after work and at weekends but in winter they're in bed by the time we get in. I have an eglu with run plus an extension panel. I do worry that a single new girl will get picked on constantly, but delia is 3 1/2 so I didn't want to cause extra stress by adding two new girls. We would probably split the run for a while to give them their own areas while they get used to one another (think someone else has done this?) Thanks for any advice, apologies if this has been asked before, I did a search but couldn't quite find what I was looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm not that experienced, but I think that seeing as you only have one hen, I think it would be better to just get one new hen. Mainly because if you got two new hens that know each other then Delia may be picked on as she is the odd one out. Hope this helps Scarlett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'd get two myself, as the present incumbent will do the 'oi, this is my gaff' routine and make the newcomers life difficult. It dilutes it a bit if you get 2. Separating the run is a good idea. Also, as your present hen is 3 1/2, she is getting on a bit, and if you get 2, when she goes, you won't find yourself in the same position. Some advice **here**. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
