Best liner/ bedding for drop tray

[Pete66]

Now that I am getting over the shock of losing my first hen, I am wondering about replacing her. We have only had our hens 4 weeks and they were around 20 to 22 weeks when we got them. 3 out of the 5 (was 6) are laying. I have read about the need to keep new ones separated for a while and gradually introduce them over a period of time. Does anyone know if that is really necessary when they are so young and have only been together as a unit for such a short time?

 

Thanks

[stoice]

They can establish a pecking order in a matter of days so I'd say they are already a tightly nit group. It's unadvisable to add just one hen to an existing flock as she'll be singled out and some nasty or horrific injuries could befall her. Could you intro duce two or three more instead?

 

Have a look at the intros section in FAQ here

[Pete66]

Yes, that is the section that I have read up on. I just wondered whether their relative newness and young age made a difference. I was intending buying two rather than just one, as I had heard that that is easier.

 

Thanks

[stoice]

I would say if the intros were done slowly as advised and it's more than one new hen you should be ok. Make sure there are plenty of distractions, perches and extra food and water stations when you do finally merge them together to give your new girls room to escape and enable them to eat and drink freely.

 

Sorry about your other hen that passed away. How sad.

[Pete66]

Thanks for that. I think I may have to try to do something creative with the guinea pig run then. Fortunately the guinea pigs have a spare run!

[Redwing]

I'd say that unless you specifically want another hen that leaving it at 5 would be a good idea as they are probably a happy bonded group by now

 

Introducing a single hen isnt easy

[the bradley bunch]

hi pete, we're coming through the situation of introducing a lone 18 week old chick to an established flock of ex-bats, and thought you might benefit from the sharing of our experience....

 

firstly we built the new chick a little wooden house, and sectioned off a safe area of the garden for her to have a proper wonder around in; and so that the other girls can see her whilst free ranging.

at night she sleeps in her own house in the well ventilated garage (because it's not predator proof so can't be left outside). so if you've got a spare guinea pig run or dog kennel then this will be fine...but if it's not fox proof bring it indoors at night.

we continued with this set-up for 5 days, and fed treats along the dividing mesh fence (or trellising) to encourage interaction between the ex-bats and the new chick.

then on the 6th day (in the evening time when the hens are least aggressive) i locked 2 of the ex-bats in the run with some treats to keep them happy, and picked the most suitable ex-bat (you'll know which one based on interaction through the fence) to spend approx 30 minutes free ranging with the chick.

i repeated this process the next night with the same ex-bat, and then i let the other 2 girls join them - using treats as a distraction!

there was some aggressive behaviour - the first night they were all together there was some 'back jumping', the next night some 'neck pecking and not letting go', the next day just 'neck pecking', until it finally settled down to just chasing away! i can't recommended enough hanging around with a broom the first couple of days, to deter any overly aggressive behaviour!

on the 10th day of the little chick being here, at just 19 weeks old, all 4 of my girls are free ranging from 10am-5pm with no probs at all

this weekend (2 weeks after we bought little chick home), we hope to have her sleeping in the hen house with the ex-bats

 

good luck & pm me anytime if you need any further advice

also so sorry to hear about the loss of your other hen *hugs* x

[Pete66]

I'm grateful for all your replies and advice. However, I have a confession to make - I didn't follow it! The farmer who sold me the hens told me just to slip the new ones inside the hen house after dark when the others were all settled and they'll be fine. So I did. They settled down quickly when I put them in. In the morning I let them out quite early. There was a bit of posturing and the dominant bird from the existing bunch threw her weight around a bit but no harm was done. There was certainly no bloodshed!

 

It probably helps that the Cube is situated in the middle of a big run, so there is plenty of space for them to avoid each other. Also, we introduced them Friday night and were able to let them loose in the garden most of Saturday and today. But by this morning they were best of friends - mingling together and eating together. Laying too. There continues to be the odd angry thrust, but no more than would happen in an established bunch.

 

I can only imagine that it is because they are so young and also because the new ones were part of the same big group from which we bought the orignal bunch. Perhaps they had some memory of them from when they were together 4 weeks ago. Who knows.

[migsy]

Excellent! Maybe it was easy because they were from the same original flock. Lucky you!

[the bradley bunch]

well done pete

sometimes it's just best to go with your own instinct! they must have remembered each other from their days at the farm, bless. either way it's great news that the newbie is a proper 'initiated' member of the flock now!