Electricbarbarella Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 would intros work if I were to allow newbies to free range all day (they are safe here) and then put them in a cat carrier in the run at night. has anybody done anything like this, what are the downfalls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaughtyChickens Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Hi I think it can vary with chickens however I know from my experience that it can be a very slow process that we cannot rush, we are currently in the process of introducing two new girls to an existing 5. We are keeping ours in a sectioned off part of the run so that they can see each other but not harm each other and to be honest they are still trying attack each other through the wire mesh. In fact we've had to put a screen up while we're not supervising otherwise I worry they will take an eye out. Blood has been shed One of the eldest girls was seen hurling herself at the partition - she doesn't like change bless her Our plan is to let them get used to each other and then get them mixed whilst free ranging at least this way they will be less likely to get cornered and we can intervene if necessary. Once things have settled down we will then put them in the run together. I wouldn't have thought there should be a problem with keeping them in a cat carrier in the run overnight as long as they can be kept dry, and you are sure the run is secure. You could always bring them in overnight if the weather isn't great (we did that last time before my dad kindly built us temporary accommodation - it doesn't look great but it does the job). I think you just need to bear in mind the time it can sometimes take and perhaps have a back up plan just in case (for example if you go on holiday or even a weekend away) I hope this has been helpful and I've not rambled on too much Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 The cat carrier for overnight is fine, as long as your run is secure. My new chooks' bedtime accommodation is a dog crate The only problem with letting them free range is that they may not be forced to get aquainted with your original chooks and so the process will take longer. I section off part of my WIR, put the covered dog cage up on a table( so they can go up to bed ) and find that after a few weeks of living on the other side of the wire from my other girls they integrate quite easily. If there is anyway you can section off part of our run I would do that rather than have them freerange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
