johnandkymberley Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I would try and take it slow, however depends on the hen really and if you have got time to watch etc. I seperated my 3 for 2 days and had to let them out, they looked so sad in the run, for the first 2 weeks they slept in the cube etc fine, but when they came into lay it all got a bit heated so we took them out for a week and then let them free range too, in 6 days they were putting themselves to bed in the cube and harmony was restored!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 just be prepared to take a step back if things do get heated etc so always best to be prepared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 The two I'd introduce her to first are already laying, as is xena, so I wouldn't have to worry about that at first, I'm more worried about things like myco or other infectious diseases she could be carrying that may not be apparent just from looking at her. I'm not sure how much you can tell about a chook from a vet exam without taking samples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I'm sure that the vet would have spotted anything like myco. Would she not have had a slightly runny nose and weezing or have I got it wrong? I think this whole thread is really lovely and heart warming. With her sore feet I can't help but imagine her plodding down the road determindly to your house, little hankerchief on a stick over her wing/ shoulder. I think she sounds like a 'Ginger' from 'Chicken Run' (which I've only just seen the other day ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 The more I read the more its like "Chicken Run" shes dug herself out or got a friendly cockerel to teach her to fly. Shes landed on her feet - OH said he'd love a C of F - and no thats not an invitation for you all to leave boxes on my doorstep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 It is "Chicken Run", isn't it? And with a proper happy ending too . So good to hear Xena's blossoming in your care and got her little (healing) feet well and truly under your table! Battery chooks are usually spray-innoculated against contagious diseases as the entire farm would be at risk otherwise. How about putting Xena outside in her hutch, so that she and your other girls can see each other, and watch how they get on. When I've had new adoptees, my "old" girls usually stalk round the "new" girls in their cube run, shouting and bawling like it's the end of the world for a couple of days, and then forget them. I've then opened the run door so the newbies can come out at their own pace and done supervised mingling, with a water pistol at the ready should there be any unseemly behaviour . It's always going to be more difficult introducing just one but, from the sounds of it, Xena's not going to be the one getting picked on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 This is such a fab story & a true fairy tale ending. Battery hens are vaccinated against most things but be guided by your vet just in case. She seems to have the loveliest nature Bless. I would keep her along side but not in with your others for whatever quarantine period you decide on. Then carry out your intros as usual. She's really landed on her feet. Luck hen & well done you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 I'm sure that the vet would have spotted anything like myco. Would she not have had a slightly runny nose and weezing or have I got it wrong? I think this whole thread is really lovely and heart warming. With her sore feet I can't help but imagine her plodding down the road determindly to your house, little hankerchief on a stick over her wing/ shoulder. I think she sounds like a 'Ginger' from 'Chicken Run' (which I've only just seen the other day ) Myco does have visible symptoms, but only sometimes, a chook that survives myco will always carry it and there will be break outs in times of stress - I don't know much about diseases in poultry, so I'm not sure if there are any others I wouldn't spot that I should worry about. My aunt works as an animator at aardman! chicken run is one of my favourites. Get the gerries! Hehehe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Thanks everyone for your kind words during this surreal time! When xena's hutch arrives on friday I'll set it up within sight of my posh girls, she's already come through the cat flap, so I guess we've got some thinking to do about keeping her out of her favourite place, the kitchen! She's just put herself to bed in the catbox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Thanks everyone for your kind words during this surreal time! When xena's hutch arrives on friday I'll set it up within sight of my posh girls, she's already come through the cat flap, so I guess we've got some thinking to do about keeping her out of her favourite place, the kitchen! She's just put herself to bed in the catbox LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 Thanks everyone for your kind words during this surreal time! When xena's hutch arrives on friday I'll set it up within sight of my posh girls, she's already come through the cat flap, so I guess we've got some thinking to do about keeping her out of her favourite place, the kitchen! She's just put herself to bed in the catbox LOL she's turning out to be a real troublemaker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 she's already come through the cat flap, so I guess we've got some thinking to do about keeping her out of her favourite place, the kitchen! She's just put herself to bed in the catbox She's an inspiration (as are you, for all you've done for her ) From cage to kitchen - a real triumph of hope and determination over adversity Go Xena! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I have loved this post - I suspect the chickens at the battery farm have a map of refuges and she made for yours - watch out Squiff - you may find several more on your doorstep - shes probably emailing them as we speak. Shes a lucky girl - had to laugh at the cat flap and bed - poor cat pushed out by a chicken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 Bless him, he's taken it very well, we've been giving him lots of fuss just so he knows she's not a replacement - "oh jelly, no one could be as soft and fluffy as you!" hahaha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Xena just sounds like she is stuffed full of character and henergy, no wonder she is now on your avatar. She ought to be on a Chick Lib poster Here's hoping that 'Jelly' does not come to stand for 'jealous' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 what a fab thread, ive really enjoyed reading it I had a COF before i got chickens, shes living at my friends. Wish i had worn the OH down to keep chickens sooner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 what a fab thread, ive really enjoyed reading it Me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 Xena's bedtime update. Night 4 in our house. once she'd nodded off a bit, we put her to bed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 She looks like a real character Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Love her Think she has to have her own book & film Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Thanks, we love her too Our intros between the existing girls have gone very smoothly the last couple of days, and I think that's because they can sense the big boss chookiness in her when they see her and don't want to start trouble. So she fits in beautifully. We've been letting her free range around the cube and eglus and she puts them in their place through the bars if they put their hackles up, they're so transfixed by her that they've stopped squabbling amongst themselves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Has your neighbour notice the new arrival yet There will be steam comming out of her ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Since she complained, we got 4 chickens from a farm, and this new arrival, if she hasn't noticed yet, she will be fuming when she does... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Since she complained, we got 4 chickens from a farm, and this new arrival, if she hasn't noticed yet, she will be fuming when she does... Good for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I take it she doesnt like chickens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
