Chicken Kitty Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Here is my dilemma.....I have fallen in love with a Araucana Bantam x Sussex Bantam (sooooo pretty) from the same breeder that we got our other lovely girls. They have several but at the moment they have only one female (the others are two young to sex) but we were hoping to have two. I could get the pretty little girl that they have and another sussex bantam (which I know I'd love but not what I'd planned) as a friend. Or could I just get her and introduce her to one of my existing girls - having two groups of 2 which we would then merge together slowly.....would this work?? Am I right to think that I couldn't just put one new girl in with my existing girls?.....They are all very friendly, I've never had any problems with bullying but I realise they are already a little group. My last option is to leave it for now and think it's fate and wait for spring I'm very confused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I'd be reluctant to introduce one bird to am existing group, wait until the spring when there are more daylight hours to enjoy your new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Not being good at resisting temptation and never one to miss out on a particularly pretty chook, who seems to be almost a chicken of fate, I'd get her if it was me . . . I have introduced a lone chicken to my existing flock on several occasions and it has always gone just fine, but I do have rather docile breeds. I also have a particularly nice cockerel who welcomes all new girlies and then makes certain that they are accepted into the flock, even sitting in between the newbie and the others on the perch. Also I have always ensured that there is plenty of escape room should it be needed. Your idea of introducing her to one of your existing girls - having two groups of 2 which you would then merge together slowly - would seem to me like a good way round things. However I can't pretend for a minute to be an expert and others, like Dogmother, might well have much saner advice for you. If you do take her, ask the breeder if you could return her within a week if things do not go well. But don't leave it too long or her previous flock will have forgotten her which would be rather unfair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thank you for your words of wisdom Dogmother and Cheaky Chook! I am sooooo torn! Half of me thinks don't rush ino it now, wait until Spring....but the other half of me can't forgot her dear little face! Any further advice would be very welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 aracana are a flighty breed...my idiots ...(the collective name for a group of aracana don't ya know!) go to roost on the top of the cube and will not go in the door. Every night I have to lift them in grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I have even left them to get soaked to the skin but nooooooooooooooo chance of going in themselves. so my honest advice is wait...but the truth is I would be there buying and splitting my flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thank you Lindafw I had read that Araucanas can be a bit flighty but I hope that as she is crossed with a Sussex she might be less so! My three sussex bantams are from the same breeder and are all lovely girls. Also, at present, they don't have any plans to cross the breeds again....so I kind of feel 'it's now or never' There is always the option of getting her and a little Light Sussex as a friend..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I'd leave it until the spring when you have more choice of birds and they will be in their prime at that time of year. No breeder worth their salt would sell you a lone hen. I'd listen to my friend Prudence - sometimes I think she's being boring, but I know it's common sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 The breeder is a good breeder. They certainly aren't trying to palm me off with a single hen....I (in my inexperienced way) was just trying to think of workable solutions so that I could get her! The breeder is extremely knowledgable and helpful (both before and after purchasing) and the girls we bought from them previously were in excellent health and have grown up into gorgeous chooks. I would be far more worried if they were prepared to sell me a second hen that they thought 'might' be a girl, the fact that they aren't prepared to let them go until they are sure, I find very reassuring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 .... I was thinking more along the lines of introducing a lone hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 I know. I was just trying to explain that they are good breeders. I was the one trying to work out if there was a way of intruducing a single hen, it wasn't the breeders suggestion. Admittedly I don't have a lot of experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 If you really can't wait, and if you need to grab the chance of getting this type of breed now, your only sensible option would be to get her and a sussex friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 Thank you Snowy As I said, I don't have a lot of experience, but I just wanted to get some advice from those who do! ......Hopefully if I ask questions I'll learn more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Thank you Snowy As I said, I don't have a lot of experience, but I just wanted to get some advice from those who do! ......Hopefully if I ask questions I'll learn more! Whats the saying? The only stupid question is the one you don't ask! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 Thank you Snowy As I said, I don't have a lot of experience, but I just wanted to get some advice from those who do! ......Hopefully if I ask questions I'll learn more! Whats the saying? The only stupid question is the one you don't ask! ....Very true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 If you do get her + pal - do show us a picture won't you? big hint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I agree with Snowy - get her and a Sussex friend. That said, I'm biased - I have a light sussex bantam and she's a little cutie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 Well I visited my local farm shop today and I appear to have purchased some temporary accomodation that would be suitable for housing any new 'chickens of fate' that might come my way! Just in case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Well I visited my local farm shop today and I appear to have purchased some temporary accomodation that would be suitable for housing any new 'chickens of fate' that might come my way! Just in case Now there speaks a true Omleteer Are there any Sussex chooks in it yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 Well......on Saturday the little Aruacana x Sussex girl and a Light Sussex girl may well be joining us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memphisto Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Great news! I hope everyone will be very happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I'm with snowy - I'd get 2 her + a friend. I'm still kicking myself for only getting 2 of the 3 available Silver laced Wyandotte Bantams that were available at the end of September. All gone now Edited to say - just read your update! yay! Pictures please when you get them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Ooo - waiting for pix - hint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 Pics will be taken at the weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Kitty Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 Well new temporary house and run are ready for action....and I am very excited!!!! Off to pick up our new girlies in the morning Hubby is at my jumping-up-and-down-like-an-excited-toddler routine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Are they there yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
