daphne_and_polly Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 We've got two 4 year old hens, one a speckeldy and one a light sussex who is large even by the standards of her breed. they are extremely healthy but we haven't had many eggs for a while now and, given that they might go on for several years yet, I'd like to get in a couple more. They are in a standard eglu but we've extended the run so that they've got more than double the space, unless we go away overnight. Can we introduce more hens? And, if so, would it be friendlier to go for smaller hens, maybe even bantams, or will they get very henpecked? the light sussex was a bad pecker while both were laying, but has mellowed now. Any advice or experience, anyone? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossco Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 ginger nut rangers would be good to add there a brilliant bird got a good read up on the breeds section. i found intreducing bantams quite hard they seem to stay away and dont mix much saying that one of my bantams thinks its a big girl and gives as good as she gets and more she is a lemon pekin we call her peggy mitchell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 People on this forum have mixed bantams and hybrids successfully, but it's not recommended as the difference in size can mean the bantams get bullied quite badly. An Eglu will comfortably (well, they have never complained! ) house five hybrid hens, so I think you could safely add a couple more, as long as you have enough run space for them. It will take a while to introduce the new ones, and they will be pounced on a bit to begin with - take a look in the FAQs here for advice on introductions. I think it would be worth doing, as you will get a good supply of eggs from the younger birds, and when the inevitable happens you won't have a single lonely hen and have to rush to introduce new birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) I have a Black Rock hybrid and a Barred Rock bantam and they are best buddies...very collaborative and they huddle together in the at night... Edited March 3, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daphne_and_polly Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 thanks for all the advice. we went to a local chicken breeder and came away with a cuckoo maran (sensible) and a chocolate wyandotte bantam (not sensible, but my 4 year old daughter and my husband fell in love with them) - currently in quarantine, but they seem to be getting on well together. Lets hope they'll get on with the old two, who seem like giants in comparison! Im hoping for in time for Easter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I have a cuckoo marans, she is a gentle girl. Your dotte sounds lovely - I can understand falling in love with one of those. Good luck with the introductions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I have a teeny little Serama hen who lives with 20 other hens all bigguns and 2 bantams.. she poodles about on her own and no-one picks on her... awww they probably think she's the boss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
