New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[chickenopolis]

I am going to collect some more chickens tomorrow - I was thinking 2, but would 3 get along OK. Should I only have chooks in pairs????

I have a second hand Eglu and run for them, which is sat alongside the Cube where Florence and Gloria reside.

I am going to take the introductions slowly, and let Flo and Glo out whilst the new girls are in their run.

I have read that you should put down treats where the new girls are so that the "old" girls don't see them as a threat and associate them with "treats". BUT, from today I am worming Flo and Glo as they both gave soft eggs over the last 48 hours, which has knocked them (and us) sideways really. We have had soft eggs before, but not from both of them.

So I thought, they were due for worming so I would start and then had a Homer Simpson D'Oh moment no treats for 7 days.

Anyway, am a bit nervous about tomorrow, but I am sure it will go fine.

Would like some reassurance really....

[dancing cloud]

It will be better than fine and 3 will get along great - might even help with intro's if there are more newbies than current ladies ! You're doing everything right in giving them separate accommodation at the start and being prepared to take it at their pace.

 

You'll know from the forum that you can expect a certain amount of shouting and bawling from your current ladies and maybe a bit of s"Ooops, word censored!"ping for position amongst the newbies. Don't panic and let them get on with it, provided no blood is being shed (usually they don't get to that). Once you let them play together there may be some more bickering, but take it slow and be as laid back as you can - water pistol in one hand and glass of whatever you fancy in the other works for me . Intro's always sound really scary, but our girlies often surprise us by how easily they can come together

 

Enjoy your new chooks - have you decided what you're getting yet? Looking forward to the photos ...

[fluffy chick]

I found it did help to pop them in to sleep together and be up early to separate them if needed.

[bigmommasally]

We're going through intro's at the mo, we have 3 new girls (who were 16 weeks old when we got them) to introduce to our 4 original girls.

Days 1 - 6 we kept them completely separate.

Day 7 we let the original girls out to free range, they seemed scared of the newbies and wouldn't venture near their run to eat the treats we had put down.

Day 8 Separate free ranging

Day 9 First mixed free ranging - they kept mostly to their 2 groups, now and then an original girl would fly at the newbies but I just shouted out and they soon backed off. Mixed free ranging is very stressful though and we can only do it if we can stay outside all the time.

Day 10 Separate free ranging

Day 11 (Today) Mixed free ranging, still 2 distinct groups, again the original girls would ocassionally launch an attack but backed off swiftly when I raised my voice. The newbies were very brave at one point and ventured into the original girls WIR and stole some of their food . Maude (original top chook) discovered them and soon put them in their place and the newbies scattered with a really guilty look.

We then scattered corn for them all in the hope they would eat together but the little ones weren't interested and the original girls ate the lot and then toodled off to bed.

 

I'm going to just keep on with the supervised mixed free ranging for a while longer, the newbies are still quite small so I will wait until they are around 20 weeks old and a bit bigger before I add them to the old girls, which I plan to do when they are sleeping.

 

Good Luck and enjoy your new hens

[Sheilaz]

How exciting! I'd definitely get three not two, and agree with all that's been said. It's worth reading about introduction experiences, and you'll be fine! All the best.

[bostock422]

Apparently putting the new chicken into the coop at night is the best thing to do. GOOD LUCK

[dancing cloud]

Apparently putting the new chicken into the coop at night is the best thing to do.

Or indeed, putting an old chicken in with the newbies ...

 

When the "Songbird" adoptees arrived, there were too many to put in the , so I put the door back on the run and they went in there, with the big girls in , and Daisy threw a right strop because THEY were in HER bed ! I'd bought the for the first batch and it had always been Daisy's bed - she'd never taken to the , though the others had moved around.

 

Oh, the tears and tantrums that first night! Me trying to put six newbies that had never seen a bed into one, with Daisy stalking round the outside of the run shouting and bawling for all she was worth, all the others getting in a tizz and coming to see what all the fuss was about and add their voices to the protest - it was a riot . Eventually, patience exhausted, I just picked Daisy up and stuffed her in with the new girls through the egg port and yes, you've guessed it, peace was immediately restored. Sometimes, you just have to do it their way !

 

PS I'm doing all this again on Sunday ...

[chickenopolis]

Only went for 2 in the end. Got them from Cotswold Chickens - got a Speckledy and a Sussex Star. If I can work out how to upload pics I will.

Their names are Margot (OH's) and Doris (named after my friend that never shuts up).

Florence and Gloria not impressed and staying away as far as they can (they are the moment sitting in the kitchen having a sulk).

So far so good - slow and steady I think - am not in a rush.

Thanks for all your advice and support and thanks to Lewis @Cotswold Chickens.

Sarah

[Lewis]

Hope they settle in well soon Sarah