chocolatedog Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Unfortunately I had to have Spice put to sleep this lunchtime (see chicken memorial) so Ginger is on her own as a solitary chicken. Should I introduce 1 or 2 new girls? I don't want to leave Ginger for too long on her own so I'm going to see some chickens tomorrow. The guy I spoke to suggested just putting them in together to sort themselves out. I know the advice on here is completely the opposite - would you think I should just introduce one new girl to start with, and then in a couple of months, say, introduce a further new girl, or just go for it now and introduce 2 newbies to one oldie? Ginger is 3 1/2 by the way, and still laying and healthy.... Would they gang up on her, or is it more likely that she would go for them? Would putting them in together be a complete disaster? In theory, yes, I understand the need for planning etc but how long could I leave Ginger on her own while I get things sorted out? Hubby is building a new run but it isn't finished yet, and I'm not sure how long he'll be as he works away a lot.... We were planning to introduce 2 new girls while we'd still got both Ginger and Spice but unfortunately that hasn't worked out........ Help please!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 aww so sorry to hear your news. I know the usual advice is opposite as you say, but if she's alone maybe it would be ok to introdue a pair especially if they're younger and not in a small pecking order at the moment? I'm sure someone with far more knowledge will be along soon. Good luck with whatever you decide *hug* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 sorry to hear that news. maybe you could add 2 girls but divide the run until they acclimatise by slotting bamboo canes through, and giving the new girls a cardboard box or something? worked a treat with my rabbits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggy Bread Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 Sorry to hear that, I've just gone through exactly the same thing myself. I was originally worried about getting two new hens as I didn't one my old one to be bullied. The advice from this site was to get two, but I went for just one. She ended up being bullied constantly by my old hen, so much so that two days later I went back and bought a third and I'm happy to say it was much better! Having two new hens means the fighting is spread over both of them rather than just one taking the brunt all the time. I've split my run with netting so they can all see each other during the day and when I get home I let them all out together. They've all gone to bed together from day one, I just add the new ones after dark. We still have some chasing and feather pulling but it is much better than it was. So I would say get two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 12, 2010 Author Share Posted August 12, 2010 Um, well, there are now 3 again.......Pepper II and Spice II in thex omleet run, and Ginger in the garden. She's been put in with them a couple of times and has given them both a quick peck then shouted to be let out again to free range.......unfortunately I haven't had a chance to find extra accommodation for bedtime, so I'm hoping that once I put her in again she'll let the newbies into the eglu with her......... I know I was really only going to have a look but unfortunately couldn't resist coming away with the new girls...... Fortunately they're quite timid so I'm hoping Ginger will easily find herself at the top without too much trouble and that they'll all sleep together.......am I hoping too much???!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 Just putting them in together works for some people. It may have been best to isolate them for a week first so that you know if they have any nasties. But sometimes we can't always do what is ideal. I read somewhere that putting talcum powder on them before putting them all in to bed together helps as it means they all smell the same. Not tried it though. Just be up early in the morning to let them out - they have a better chance of getting on the more space you give them. Good luck with it and sorry about Spice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 12, 2010 Author Share Posted August 12, 2010 Yup, Spice's timing wasn't quite ideal as I haven't got my new run finished and although I've borrowed a rabbit run from a friend to isolate them if there's a real problem, there's no extra housing to put them in.....so I'll just have to pray they're healthy!!! They're from a local chap who was recommended at the vets and I've also seen an endorsement on here so with any luck they'll be fine.....keeping my fingers crossed! I cleaned out both the run and the eglu before we put them in (in record time!!!!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 12, 2010 Author Share Posted August 12, 2010 I should also add that although I have a friend who has several arks they're all full as he breeds his own chickens, so there isn't a spare one to borrow...... Ah well...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 We used to put our newbies in half the run, separated with bamboo canes, with a cat carrier with wooden roosting bars in as a house. It worked fine as a temporary thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 12, 2010 Author Share Posted August 12, 2010 Well Ginger is in the run swearing her head off and pecking at the newbies if they venture too close so I'll just have to hope she shuts up soon!! She clearly wants me to let her out again......but obviously it'll be bedtime soon! Hope I don't get too many complaints.........I know it'll be a shock for her having 2 young strangers in her home after her pals have disappeared..... I only hope she takes herself off to bed and lets the others in!! I will put extra food and water in the run tomorrow to try to avoid too much conflict.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 12, 2010 Author Share Posted August 12, 2010 Hmmm well, the newbies have gone to bed, but Ginger is refusing to set foot in there with them.....she keeps going in and then coming out again and shouting!! Poor thing - it must be horribly confusing for her........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 It will take time. Just remember that you are doing what is best for her - she wouldn't survive on her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 12, 2010 Author Share Posted August 12, 2010 Well, all is quiet in the eglu now.....there was a bit of fighting inside although interestingly enough after one altercation the newbies had shifted position and had left Ginger's usual roosting spot free, but it still took a further 20 mins and a few more ruffled feathers and squawks and me opening the egg port to have a peep before peace descended.....I think one of the newbies may be attempting to stand up for herself and her fellow newbie, but I'm not quite sure.......will get up pretty early I think to let them out again...... Hope I still have 3 live girls in the morning!!!! hopefully it can only improve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 How did last night go? All good I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 So sorry to hear that you have lost Spice and are having trouble introducing your two new hens. I introduced two new hens to my three originals three weeks ago and things did not go well to start with at all. My situation is different to yours and I am a novice at this so I would hesitate to give any advice. The two things I hope you may find reassuring are that time has made a huge difference (my flock are mixing well together now) and that the great advice I received from members of this forum was what led me to make the best decisions and keep believing that everything would be okay in the end. I hope your three start to settle down together soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Well, the good news is that I still have 3 girls!! The bad is that Ginger was shouting blue murder at 6.30 this morning so I let them all out of the eglu and she continued to shout to be let out, so I did, but because I was a bit worried about foxes I put her in the rabbit run for a while to just let her get away from the others. She's been free-ranging all day but has gone back to the run and asked to be let in a couple of times (the newbies hid in the eglu while she was in!!!) and then wanted out..... Hubby is out there just now trying to get more of the new run completed...... He also bought a cat carrier but I'm not sure whether just to go for the eglu again, but somehow get Ginger in and settled first before putting the new girls in - having said that, they took themselves to bed early before Ginger last night so not sure how we can avoid that other than shut the eglu door and post her in the egg port!!! Oh the joys!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Update - all 3 girls back in eglu although Ginger stayed in the run for a while uttering little cries (at least she wasn't shrieking her head off like last night!) but after a kerfuffle or two they settled as it was getting dark...... Here's hoping she ain't quite so vociferous in the morning!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Well, we still have 3 chickens and Ginger is obviously although missing Spice, not too unhappy now as she's made a nest for herself in the garden and laid an egg in it yesterday!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 I'm pleased she is settling again. It must be upsetting for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 I'm glad you're posting regular updates and that things are going well (fingers crossed!) as your scenario is one I know will arise with us in due course once either our Pepper or Ginger dies and we have to get replacements so the tips are really useful. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Further update - went out in trepidation this evening, worrying that I'd have problems getting them in the eglu (Pepper was too scared of the old matriarch to go in last night!! Had to resort to one of us waving a rake in the run to make her go in, and the other shut the door immediately she was in!) but when I went up the garden all was quiet and there were no hens in the run...... Yippee! They'd all taken themselves to bed and settled themselves down!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 Just to let you know - Ginger has laid 3 eggs in 4 days! Not bad for a 3 1/2 year old! The past 2 nights getting them all in the eglu has been more difficult - Ginger keeps taking herself to bed first so the newbies are too scared to go in, but I entice her out and then the others go to bed and as soon as she sets foot in the eglu, I shut the door behind her before they escape! At least when the new WIR is complete it will give them more space when all together, so they will be able to keep away from her a bit.....they are a bit panicky when she's in the eglu run with them so they tend to retreat into the eglu to get away, which means I have to let her out to free-range so they can eat and drink (Ginger has her own food/water source in the garden.....) I'm just hoping they become friends soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
