Jill Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 I hope someone can give me a bit of advice. I recently lost a chicken and my remaining Mrs Pepperpot is grieving so I have bought a point of lay warren chicken. I got her (Ginge) yesterday and kept them separated yesterday and last night. When should I let them mix? I have heard it is a good idea to introduce the new one when they are both asleep and that in the morning they will not realise they do not know each other!!!! Find it a bit hard to believe that they are really that gullible but who knows. Any advice will be gratefully received as I want them to both be happy. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 It is best to let them sleep together, as they become used to each others smells that way, and it supposed to help the introductions along. They won't peck when they are fluffed up ready to sleep. You can do the introductions 2 ways - just put them in together, and just let the inevitable pecking happen - the advantage being that it's over with quickly, and you can settle back to normality, the disadvantage being that the pecking is vicious, and unpleasant to watch, however normal the behaviour is. or you can do it gradually, keeping them separated by some kind of mesh (ie your original girl freeranging, whilst the new girl is kept in the run) - the advantage is that pecking should be lessened, but it does take a lot longer for things to settle back to normality, and there still will be a certain degree of pecking when they are in together. I've done it both ways, and despite the horrible pecking, the put 'em in and leave 'em to it way was actually the easier way in the long run. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted May 4, 2007 Author Share Posted May 4, 2007 Thanks. At the moment the new girl is in the run and the old timer free ranging around the outside but I will try putting them in together tonight when they go to sleep. I hope they are quick to settle down together as I hate the idea of one being bullied Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share Posted May 5, 2007 Chookiehen - I put Petal into her eglu when she was asleep (I felt really cruel as she went to sleep perched on top) and Ginge was already asleep inside. I was so worried I left the door open and got up at 5.30am to check on them. Petal was outside and Ginge was still in the eglu so I think maybe Petal had been showing her who was the boss so I have let Petal out into the outer run and given Ginge the eglu and run and will keep them separate during the day again and do the same again tonight. Am I being over cautious? I just can't bear the idea of them fighting and I know once they have got over the initial mistrust they will both benefit by having a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Maybe a bit cautious. If they don't mix, then they can not work out their pecking order. It is perfectly natural for them to work it out. If you stop them, then they will start making a pecking order from scratch as soon as you do mix them. I would mix at night, at least, it helps as they are so sleepy they're not bothered about attacking the new one. It's only one on one as well so she's not outnumbered at least. Some people do separate for say a week, it can be good to check the health of the new bird, but I put the new one straight in and allow them to freerange in the day as there is more room, but that was for two against one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 I would definitely shut them both in the eglu at night. I had been leaving the door open, but as I kept finding Fizz lying in the run (looking like she was nesting ) I was worried that they might be kicking her out in the night as she is bottom chook. Once shut in together they are likely to be too sleepy to fight anyway. And even with established flocks, you still get the odd barney. My two 'middle' chooks are often bickering - just like the kids really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
