Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[CharLeila]

Hi, I will hopefully be collecting 2 new girls (not sure what breed yet) tomorrow. I have sectioned off a part of my run with chicken wire which should work nicely in the day time for them to get used to each other. Just wondering what to do about accommodation . What have other people done in the past?

 

Thanks

Edited June 4, 2011 by Guest

[Mum]

When the currently resident birds went to bed and were shut in, I then add any new residents; that way they all wake up together and even though there may still be the initial pecking order teething issues, its not quite so bad.

[chicken bark]

You could post the new girls into the cube at bedtime and get up v early to separate them again in the morning. Or you could let the new girls sleep in a cat carrier - this should be safe inside the run. Perhaps put a small rabbit hutch in there in you can. Failing all that as long as the weather is dry a cardboard box would do at a push (again as long as it is safe inside in a run).

 

Photos when they arrive please.

[CharLeila]

Thanks!

 

Think I might try posting them through the nesting box hatch after dusk unless I can get my hands on a cat carrier thing.

 

Cheers

[mollyripkim]

I managed to buy a brand new little hutch with a run atttached for only £30 on eBay, even has handles for moving it around. Im going to use it for intros later on, it's not fox proof but I have a safe area to put it at night.

[bluekarin]

I sectioned off an area of my run and we converted an old kitchen wall cupboard we bought for £5 into a house for them. So far its working. My existing hens keep trying to peck them, but then they have dust baths either side of the wire divider I'm going to keep mine separate for a week or so, as I have an ill existing hen and I don't want her picked on by the new girls.

[Mrs Ren]

Hello, I had three new girls over 3 weeks ago now and they have still not been accepted by my three existing ladies. It is a nightmare. One minute I think they are getting along nicely and then the three older ones decide to pin one of my youngsters to the floor and peck her!

 

They are mingling in the day which is fine as the young ones can normally make a run for it but in the cube at night I have had them sectioned off and they sleep under the cube.

 

Last night I tried to leave them together but I think they are frightened and would not go up the ladder into the cube and again slept in the run. I got up at 0415 hrs to make sure I was there to let them out before dawn broke and the old ladies got up.

 

Do you think that they will ever be friendly or should I buy an eglu for them? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated .

Jo

[CharLeila]

Hi, collected 2 hybrids from 'Mini Meadows'. Westaway's say they have loads on their website but actually only have a couple of the usual breeds available. They will have more stock in about 8 weeks!

 

We decided to go to Mini meadows and they were great. Loads of choice and they looked really well looked after, very professional outfit! I think this will be my one and only poultry provider for the future.

 

OK, I know I'v got a Black Star but I'm unsure of the other one. I was too excited at the time and totally forgot to ask what breeds I'd picked up!

 

Maybe you could shed some light on what Margaret is. (On the right).

 

Regards

Edited June 4, 2011 by Guest

[chicken bark]

Can't see the pictures I'm afraid.

[Luvachicken]

Sorry, can't tell you what she is but she is very pretty

[percy049]

I think shes a speckeldy

[Olly]

Hello, I had three new girls over 3 weeks ago now and they have still not been accepted by my three existing ladies. It is a nightmare. One minute I think they are getting along nicely and then the three older ones decide to pin one of my youngsters to the floor and peck her!

 

Do you think that they will ever be friendly or should I buy an eglu for them? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated .

Jo

 

Jo, it takes time but it will get better -after three weeks you are probably on the cusp of them all settling down, so don't give up. They need to settle the pecking order and a bit of tussling is inevitable. As long as blood isn't being drawn, let them get on with it - if they can eat and drink, and if there's a branch or perch or something to get up onto that will help too. They may look scared, but it's probably not as bad as it looks.

[Mrs Ren]

Thank you for the reply, I will persevere with it and try not to worry too much.. I think I will purchase an eglu as it can always be used as a standby hospital in case one of them has an incidence. I didn't think that I would get soooo attached to the girls!

[Egluntyne]

The one on the right looks like a Speckledy to me too.

[CharLeila]

Are Speckledy's hybrids though? Im sure I picked her up from the hybrid pens and she was only £15.

[Egluntyne]

Yes they are.

[Green Tea]

Are Speckledy's hybrids though? Im sure I picked her up from the hybrid pens and she was only £15.

 

Yes they are. I have one

[Olly]

They are, and they're lovely chickens - perhaps I've been lucky with Sadie (approx 4 and still laying ) but she is also my friendliest hen, and makes lovely cooing noises.

[CharLeila]

Ah, great. Thanks everyone for sorting that out for me. They both seem really nice, just wonder how long it'll be before my other girls realise it too!

[percy049]

Aren't speckledys part maran? and is that why they lay dark brown 's?

[majorbloodnock]

Aren't speckledys part maran? and is that why they lay dark brown 's?

Yes. They're a hybrid based on the Cuckoo Maran. As for dark brown eggs, some do and some don't.