gonetoearth Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 We've had three chickens for a while now and we sadly lost one over the summer, which left us with two. So, after a little planning... coops...space.... winter quarters etc we went out to Mini Meadows Farm in Northamptonshire and bought ourselves, 2 Buff Orpingtons (14 weeks old and so friendly) a Lavender Aracuana (particularly fiesty) and a very pretty little blue laced wyandotte. (There were so many different breeds to chose from.) The new chooks are in an Eglu classic together with run plus extension. They're all new to each other so they has been a bit of sparring today... sorting out who is who etc. Do you think that this will settle down fairly quickly? We're putting out a couple of feed dishes so that everyone should be able to get to food and water. Stage two is going to be getting them to mix with our existing girls... Henoria who is definitely top of the pecking order ignored them for most of the afternoon, then I saw her wander over and the little bantam wanted to give her a sorting out through the bars of the run... my very placid Ginger ranger just goes and stands and looks through the door at them. Eventually I want to have them free ranging and living together in the Cube. I know this is going to take a bit of time and that's ok but any advice that helps us get through this with everyone intact, happy and healthy would be welcome ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Congratulations on your new girls - they sound gorgeous . Good luck with your intros. I've just added 3 new girls to 3 existing ones. I had the newbies in the Omlet run with the others in their walk in run for a couple of weeks, letting them freerange together while I was home - bit of pecking but nothing major. Two weeks on from that, they're now all in the run together - I let them freerange all day so the little ones can escape any pecks but come bed time, they all go to bed in 2 separate groups with no bother . It's been so much easier this time! I wonder if the fact they sleep outdoors makes a difference though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Congratulations. I think taking it slowly is the key but others put them together almost straight away. Where abouts is Mini Meadows Farm? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Sounds like a great assortment, congratulations ..................pictures???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonetoearth Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 Where abouts is Mini Meadows Farm? Mini Meadows Farm is out at Welford just of junction 1 of the A14. They're still in 'start up' but are intending to be ready next year to have a chicken and supplies type of arrangement. I rang them first and then we met up. If you love your chickens you'll love it there. The guy we walked around with was really helpful and knowledgeable..... Here's the web address; http://minimeadowsfarm.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonetoearth Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 Sounds like a great assortment, congratulations ..................pictures???? Promise I'll post some pictures as soon as I they're a little calmer. Fingers crossed for later today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
