Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[arrbee]

I recently ‘inherited’ a lone chicken from a neighbour who moved and was unable to take her with. When we collected her she wasn’t at all happy: the other two hens had recently been taken by a fox leaving her all alone (and quite jumpy), the henhouse was infested with red mite and she had lice and worms. After a month or so of tlc, and getting the red mite (more or less) under control I’m now ready to get a couple of friends for her. I’m looking at 2 point-of-lay hens.

 

My question is, what is the best way to introduce the new chickens. Almost everyone I’ve asked has given me different advice on the best way to do it. I’m confused.

Do I…

· Let her out of her run into the garden, put the new hens into the run and let them meet through the fencing?

· Leave her in the run and have the new ones in the garden to meet through the fence?

· Keep her in her run and put the new hens in with her?

· Wait until she’s shut up for the night, and put the new birds into the hen house with her?

 

She is now used to being on her own, and whilst I’m sure she will appreciate some company, I don’t want her to feel she’s being ousted from her own home or to feel that the newcomers are pushing off her favourite perch.

What is the best and gentlest way to do introduce the newbies?

 

Thanks.

[Olly]

Take a look at this FAQ on how to introduce hens 1:1 - here. There is also a thread in the FAQs about introducing point-of-lay hens which might also have some useful advice on.

 

I would follow the option you suggest of putting the new one in at night to begin with, it will mean you have to be up in time to remove her in the morning, but that way they will all sleep together and will start to smell the same. Is her run visible to them at the moment? If not I would move her somewhere that she can be seen, and then gradually try free ranging them. I have successfully introduced a solo hen in this way. Slowly is best!