3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[pixelpeeper]

Hi All

 

I have a question - I have 4 hybrids which for the most part get on very well... not bullying seen until yesterday when one was henpecking another that had gone broody (yes I have a broody hybrid, annoying).

But generally, the status quo is pretty good.

 

However - I am off tomorrow to pick up 2 orpingtons - am I making a mistake?? A bit worried about potential bullying. I haven't got the money to buy another coop (or the space!) if I need to separate them... should I cancel the order before it's too late??

 

*worried*

[Jools]

How will you be keeping them? Are they confined all the time or do they free-range?

 

You really do need separate quarters initially as quarantine is absolutely essential and that's before you begin introductions.

[ubereglu]

You will NEED to provide them with separate accommodation for at least the first few days. It's a good idea to put newbies in a fenced area close to the others, so they can see each other, but they cannot peck each other, then they should get used to one another. After a few days of this you'll be able to put the new ones to bed with the older ones-wait until it's dark and the others are sleepy. Then take them out of the house in the morning, before you let the others out and put them back into the their fenced off area. Repeat for a few days and then you should be able to fully integrate them.

 

Also, do you realise just how massive orps are? I say this as 2 full sized ones will take up about the same amount of space as 4+ normal sized hens.

[pixelpeeper]

Sorry should have explained

 

Bantam orpingtons! Not the full size ones - as much as I'd like to!

 

My 'plan' was to put the old girls outside the run free ranging and the new girls inside and have them together at night. I have feeders/drinkers for both inside and out.

 

I have about 5-6 days able to do this but then I am back at work and would like them together, as I have them cooped up while I am at work and free ranging for a few hours when I get home.

 

Do you think this would work?

[beach chick]

sounds reasonable, I've always found intros to be quite straightforward as long as there is enough space which you've worked out. the other thing you can do is throw some corn/mealworms/whatever down, along the line of the fence that separates them so they get used to the idea of eating together.

[Egluntyne]

Some advice on managing intros here

[chucknette]

Hi

 

I introduced two LF orpingtons to my hybrids and everything went well. I found that the orpies have such a sweet nature that they paid the higher ranking girls the respect due.

 

For the first two days there was a lot of squawking from the hybrids and nothing from the orpies but I can honestly say it took two days. I took the advice of the breeder to put them all together straight away (not everyones cup of tea) and I lifted the orpies into the cube at night. I used lots of nice treats in different areas to take their minds off each other and it worked well. Obiously one of the orpies is at the bottom of the pecking order and she seems to expect the odd peck now and then.

I do have a large run so that they can get away from each other and the orpies do clear off if anything starts.

I do think on the advice of other forum members you may want to keep them seperate for a while in case of any illness or parasites they may have. I bit the bullet and was ready for anything and nothing happened. Probably luck but I would do it again if I got any more orpies from the same breeder as they were in immaculate condition.

 

Wishing you luck in your adventure and Im sorry but you will develope morehens disease as the buff have a lovely nature.

[pixelpeeper]

Thanks for the advice and link!

 

Well - I have a few days at home to try the arrangement and if after a couple of days things are not going well I will look into getting a small eglu go or something as a priority.

My chooks are very much my pets and I don't want to see the new ladies bullied.

[pixelpeeper]

That was the reason I went for buffs!

 

We have plenty of eggs (despite one of the PP's not laying as she is broody) so I wasn't after more eggs, I just wanted 'pets'!

 

I will give it a go - I am also prepared for the worst and will take whatever action is necessary!

[gongladosh]

you can merge them, but it'll take time and patience.

 

I rescued a chicken of fate - a 16 week or so light sussex bantam. I merged her with a (described by a hen expert as 'lovely but effectively racist' (!), a Bluebelle and a Speckledy.

 

We fortunately had a spare eglu and run. It took about 16 weeks to do.

 

If I have one bit of advice, it's to listen to the hens, all of them. They'll tell you when they're ALL ready.

[pixelpeeper]

Right - I took advice and I have a pied suffolk and a bluebelle in the coop while the other girls free range!

 

So far so good.

 

I did, however, submit to addiction and chose 3 bantam orpington chicks to collect in Sept/Oct