UKMARCH Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 We are getting a bigger house in the next few weeks and are hoping to add some more hens possibly 3/4 would it make a difference if the number of new hens was greater than the current ones? The thinking was that if one didn't make it then we would still have three new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 I dont think it matters how many, I think its more of the introducing new hens to an existing flock, alot more to it than opening the run door and moving them all in together! I've never done it and would be nervous but I'm new to all this Someone will be along in a min to tell you how and what though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 There's lots of advice on introductions around on here.... In a nut shell, take it slowly and have separate accommodation for the newbies whilst it's happening. So keep the old house and run whilst you do it As for numbers to add, this is more dependant on run space than house space. You need ideally 1 square metre of run space for every girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 Thanks I have read the section on introductions and we are planning on dividing the run in two both on the hard area and the mud so they can have half each to start. I have a couple of books which seem to have more info on starting up and some nice photos and I quite scared myself at the beginning with the Avoid the Vet Book! We lost one early on and didn't want to try to introduce any more in the early days but now are ready to add some more so now just need to do the modifications and the fun part choosing We should have enough space I just was worried about outnumbering the originals its great to know you can draw on the experience of others here. I quite fancy a white star as I see them at the place where we get our supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 I may be wrong (as I don't have one!) but aren't White Stars quite flighty? Only an issue if your garden isn't well contained, of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 White stars are flighty, but also greedy, so with wing clipping and corn training they are great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Hi, sorry but totally disagree with comments on here about white stars. Lily and Willow are fantastic, yes they are a TINY BIT skittish but not at all flighty. White stars are the best in laying pure white eggs and are known as little ballerinas at chicken shows because of there perfect physique and stunning looks. I have never and will never regret my white stars and dont have a bad word about my 2 or the breed in general P.s my garden isnt totally contained and my white stars are not at all greedy, anything but I would recommend them totally xxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Hi, sorry but totally disagree with comments on here about white stars. Lily and Willow are fantastic, yes they are a TINY BIT skittish but not at all flighty. White stars are the best in laying pure white eggs and are known as little ballerinas at chicken shows because of there perfect physique and stunning looks. I have never and will never regret my white stars and dont have a bad word about my 2 or the breed in general P.s my garden isnt totally contained and my white stars are not at all greedy, anything but I would recommend them totally xxxxx I'm promoting White stars, I agree they are fab chickens.... Although you'll never find them at chicken shows because they are hybrids.... White leghorns yes, White stars no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 I love my White Stars, but they are very flighty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Our local hybrid stockist has hundreds of birds through each year. He says he has never met a better layer or a more flighty bird than the White Star. Obviously not every single bird will be super flighty, but it is a recognised general trait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 I'm only going on what I saw when I went to choose my last lot of girls - all the White Stars were in the next field (and as I watched, I could see how - they were flapping up onto a 6 ft wall and jumping down the other side ). No disputing they're very pretty though . I would love pure white eggs too . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Question to all... You mentioned you're moving house and wanting to introduce some newbies...... Would it make a difference if you move the existing flock and introduce the newbies at the same time? In effect they're all new and no-one has a 'territory' to get defensive about. Just a question, but I'd be interested in views.... P.S. I also have a White Star and although a bit flighty at first she soon settled down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 Thanks everyone, its good to be pre-warned, I think we are hopefully contained enough would they get onto a garage roof? I know we had a peacock visit once which went on the garage roof then hopped up to next door's chimney where it roosted for the night It also had a good meal of all my annuals! I would also quite like a fenton blue are they also flighty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Probably my pekin leapt up 6 foot onto the run roof when she first went out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I'm promoting White stars, I agree they are fab chickens.... Although you'll never find them at chicken shows because they are hybrids.... White leghorns yes, White stars no. I have a book that shows them at chicken shows etc do they do a hybrid show? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Quick we are all on our way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
