dowellmj Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Hi All, I checked the FAQ's and it didnt have a specific remedy to this problem so looking for advice. I just purchased a silkie hen to replace one I lost and provide the orginal a new buddy. The original hen usually free ranegs during the day and I put her back in the Eglu late in the day, the only days she is confined to the run is when its raining or I am away for the day. As I went through the initial 1 week period of confinement with my original birds so they know where the rosst was, i decided to confine botht he new bird and old to the run thinking there was going to be some squabblign but that they would figure it out and establish a pecking order. However, the original hen is very aggressive to the newbie to the extent of where she is hiding in the Eglu house - I have put a small food and water dish in there but I dont know if she is eating and drinking so my questions are: - should I still leave them both in the run or open the run door so the original free ranges as confining her as well is adding to the problem - if I do that, will they still have the proximity to establish a pecking order or just avoid each other prolonging things and making it worse when they are confined to the run - i.e when I am away, raining etc AND will she know to go back in the run at night and roost in the eglu as I have only had her in there for 2 days vs a week? (the first night I had to put her in the eglu) - leave them both in there to figure it out for the week I dont have anywhere else to seperate them in the short term. I was initially going to let them figure it out but I am worried that she is not going to eat/drink enough. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Article about managing intros here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dowellmj Posted March 8, 2011 Author Share Posted March 8, 2011 thanks, I did see that article but my questions were as to whether both (nw and old) birds need to be confined to the run which may be causing the frustration in the older bird or if I can forgo the typical week run confinement for the new bird to know where the roost is? Maybe they can figure out the pecking order with more room free ranging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Sorry to hijack your post, but how long does it normally take to get them to sleep together? it's been 2 1/2 weeks so far, and no luck. I think we need to do it later at night though, as it was still quite light when we tried a couple of days ago. Would it also help just to leave them to it in the house, instead of watching them and telling them off when the old girls peck the new ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 usually easier free ranging. more space. Personally would never confine an established girl with a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Agree, I keep them divided in day but in same run, then free range and when that is comfortable then sleep together (sometimes with divider in cube - complicated) then in run together. Takes time but for me it works. With mature hens it takes a week or two but with babies I wait until they mature. My wyandottes were very young so I took a couple of months that time. Good luck but I would let your old girl freerange in day and come back and inspect new one when she wants so they get used to each other gradually rather than forcing them to be together. Quick intros can work. Lots have reported success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
