HELP aggressive chicken

[Mercedes55]

My OH went out this morning to pick up a couple of pure breeds. He has come back with not 2, but 4.

 

It is my OH's birthday today, so I am trying to not be too mad at him. But I'm a bit stressed out as I think 4 is a lot to take on. Our ex batts are going mad and haven't stopped bocking since he brought them home.

 

The new girls seem very nervous and they are just chirping. They sound so cute, but I just hope they aren't too scared of the other girls.

 

I think we have 1 Lavender Araucana, 1 Salmon Favorelle, 1 Cream Legbar and 1 Welsummer.

 

 

[Dizzy-Deb]

I must admit that is the kind of thing I would do.

 

Last christmas when one of my pair of rabbits died, I went to local rescue to see if could find a new friend for my bunny as he was so miserable.... with the intention of coming back with one and came back with a pair! Fortunately the bonding worked and all 3 now live together but was a gamble.

 

Your new girls are lovely, and sure they will settle all together in time. Have you done introductions before ? I have never done chicken intros so dont know how easy/hard it is but is something will have to face as I would like another 2 possible 3 in future.

 

Hope they all get along together soon. xxx

[migsy]

Fantastic! Great selection. The only thing I found about increasing the number of hens was the increase in the amount of poo - loads of poo has now become super loads and I also have 2 eglus to clean/empty now. I've had my "newbies" for 5 weeks now and they are still not ready to live in the same run as the others but they FR very happily together. They are 17 weeks old and they are still a lot smaller than my original girls but I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and put them in together soon. Good luck with yours!

[Mercedes55]

I have never done introductions before so really am a novice as I've only had my ex batts for 2mths. The cream legbar has already managed to jump up onto the double layer of netting we have separating the run into two. We've had to put the Winter Omlet shade across there now so that they can't see each other too much and hopefully none of them can get to the other side.

 

The breeder said to just put them all together in a week, but to be honest I think that is a bit too quick. My plan for now is just to keep them separate and then maybe try to FR them together in a week or two. I did read that the Favorelle is prone to being bullied as they are bigger and very placid. I really hope that doesn't happen. One of them also is prone to scaly leg, forget which one now, so I guess I will have to get something for that just in case. Right now we are just leaving them to settle in as they don't seem to like it when we go near them. I just hope they find the feeders okay as we have put the Omlet Grub and Glug in there as that is all we have at the moment

[migsy]

They should get used to the feeders within a couple of days. How old are they?

[Mercedes55]

Well the other day I was told they are 15wks old, but when my OH went to pick them up he was told they are only 14wks old. I don't have any growers pellets and our local chicken place can only order me some and it will take 2wks to get some. For now I have given them some ex batts crumbs, do you think that will be okay?

 

As they are so young there is only an 80% chance that the Lavender Araucana is female, I really hope she is or we will have to take her back as I don't think a cockerel would be a good idea in a built up area

[goodinparts]

They may have been rather unexpected - but your OH has good taste, I'd say...Beautiful chooks. Do hope they all bond smoothly & your worries about an enlarged flock prove groundless & that they are all girlies. I SO want a salmon faverolle - but not til the spring (my OH is deeply sceptical about the girls )

Do let us know how you get on...

[Mercedes55]

I had never even considered a salmon favorelle but my OH took one look at her and wanted to buy her. She has a face that is more like an eagle than a hen, she is just stunning. I will have to get a pic of her close up as she is just so very beautiful

[migsy]

Have you tried Pets at Home? I got some growers pellets from there. I don't know what is in ex-batts crumb but I understand that layers pellets are not very good for growers. Maybe someone who knows more about it can advise. I think you might find, like me, that it will take a while for the newbies to integrate as they it will take some time for them to reach the size of your big girls. They are lovely though! I'm impressed that your OH is so keen on chooks. My ex OH hated them

[Mercedes55]

Yes we do have a Pets at Home in Ruislip and I did a stock check but they are out of stock at the moment. They do have some in Borehamwood but it's right the other side of town and they close at 6pm and so I doubt we would be able to get there before they close, more so as we aren't familiar with that area. May have to wait till Monday evening after OH is home from work as they are open till 8pm I think. I could kick myself for not having the sense to realise they might need some of that

[Heidi-Hi]

They are lovely! I have a Cream Legbar and Welsummer too, but the CL is definately my favourite. She's got a lovely floppy comb, and her colouring is just beautiful! Enjoy them, you are so lucky

[meezers]

Lovely choices he made - how could you possibly be mad at him ? wish I had a husband who wanted chooks for his birthday

[CallyChook]

Lovely choices he made - how could you possibly be mad at him ? wish I had a husband who wanted chooks for his birthday

 

me too me too!! My long-suffering OH is very good with the chooks, but his passion stops at "helping out" and the words "honey, I've been on "insert website/practical poultry/ regional farmers rag here" and there's a "insert hen type here" going at a very good price" gets a very tired and fed up look in return. Still, we have 17 so I cannot complain.

 

Good luck with them, they're gorgeous, healthy and all together delightful looking hens in those pics xx

[Plum]

Lovely little girls. Well done OH

[sparkysmum]

Hi Mercedes, we have a salmon fav and a lavender araucana & they are fab The araucanas are apparently prone to scaly leg mite but we have not had any problems. My daughter won best novice with our araucana at Peebles Poultry show last February. Our Fav has to be the most dim witted hen on earth but she is a giant. So comical when she runs towards you and makes the loveliest hooting sound. You will love them

Alli xx