Locking Bar Eglu Classic

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Hey guys.

 

I have some queries I wish to put to the masters of chicken keeping!

Number one: At the moment i keep three chickens, we have a fairly large house, supposedly big enough for 8. My parents believe it is cruel to have more than four in the house, but I have frequently seen them huddling together in the nest box, appearing cold. Do chickens prefer to be in larger groups whilst sleeping?

 

My second question is, would it be possible to introduce two ex battery hens into my group of 2 and a half year old Girls?

 

Thanks very much in advance.

 

I hope every one is having a lovely week!

 

The Darkest of all Jedi

 

Ed

[Mercedes55]

I've only been keeping hens for 3mths, so I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be able to give you some better advice.

 

However from what little I do know, although I'm sure it's fine to have more hens, I wouldn't advise getting either ex batts or POL hens and putting them straight in together with your existing hens. That especially applies to ex batts as they are often in such a state when you get them that your existing hens would pick on them.

 

If you have a separate house and run that your new hens could be in that would be the ideal scenario so that you could introduce them gradually. There are lots of threads on here about introducing new hens to an existing flock

[chicken bark]

Ditto what Mercedes has said.

 

I think chickens are like people. Some like a bed of their own and some like to cuddle.

As long as there is 8-10 inches of perch space per hen you should be fine when you get round to moving all hens into the same house.

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all your advice, unfortunately we have not got any ware near enough land build a new run.

At the mo, the chucks are in their pen 9-4, then free range till 6, they seem content.

We have six twelve inch perches for the chucks so space will not be an issue.

 

I htink Ex batts wont be possibel then, that is a shame indeed.

 

Will it be possible introducing point of lay, i cant help it, I have been contaminated with the chicken keeping fever! :

Thanks very much.

 

Darkest of all Jedi

 

Ed

[chicken bark]

If you introduce POL hens you will ideally need a separate space to quarantine them for a week. You could get by by dividing the run and using a rabbit hutch/cat carriers as temporary accommodation. You'd need to move them somewhere secure at night time.

 

Others have successfully tried putting new hens in with old at bedtime but that is risky.

 

How big is the pen? They need 1 square metre of run space each as a minimum. On the plus side it sounds as though the coop is big enough. How many nest boxes does it have? You could do with 2 for 6 hens to avoid any queues, but this could be a cardboard box or pet carrier.

 

It is very addictive but if space is an issue I'd rather have 3 happy hens than 6 okay ones.

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Well put indeed!

The run itself is 10 meters in length and 3 meters wide. But a small space is taken up by the compost bin.

The ground at the moment is so muddy, my poor little hens, *rushes outside to let them freerange*

We have two egg boxes at the moment, but only getting one egg a day, so cues are unlikely.

My girls are very placid, but I would not know how they would react, to new girls.

 

Thanks very much for your help and advice.

 

Darkest of all Jedi

Ed

[chicken bark]

So the coop is big enough, the run is big enough to divide whilst introductions take place and you have enough nest boxes.

[Mollie333]

Just divide the run with some chicken wire?

 

Goodluck!

[Egluntyne]

Ex batts need a period of quarantine, rest and recovery before being put in with your exisiting hens. Their condition will be anywhere from fully feathered to nearly bald, and they will have weak muscles and brittle bones to start off with, so may not be up to the hurly burly of the inevitable squabbles. It is best to err on the side of caution. The BHWT advise you not to merge them immediately.

[Ed Picaloon C Boodle]

Thanks very much guys.

Would it be appropriate to keep x battery hens in a garage, and set up temp accommodation?

This would be like some lights, ect.

Hmmm so many thoughts. I just want to help support those poor ex battery girls.

 

Darkest of all Jedi

 

Ed.