2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Happily]

We have a chicken of fate - Pheobe - who last week passed out when cornered by two of my girls and so we are taking intros very very slowly. She is in her own run next to my eglu run where the 4 pekins are housed and she free ranges on her own. She just seems extremely miserable and petrified of the others She pretty much just stands in one position all day even when we take her out to free range and positions herself where she can't see the other girls. She is eating and drinking but not alot and I am worried about how sad she seems. We want to persevere with the intros as we got her from a rescue centre where she was on her own all the time.

 

I just don't know what to do to make her happier. I have read all the info on introductions and am following it but am at a bit of a loss as to what to do for the best. I think she would be much happier once in the group but two of my hens are quite vicious towards her and will make a bee line to try and get her if they see her.

 

I am not sure what breed she is and can't upload a photo at the mo so will try my best to describe. She is cream with a big pom pom on her head that she can just about peer out from. We are told she is a bantam but reasonably tall and has long yellow legs and has a few feathers on her feet- like my pekins but not as much and I can actually see her legs. Any ideas what she might be and whether she may be a particularly docile breed.

 

Any advice about introducing one hen to 4 would be appreciated or would it be better to get her a friend and house them seperately - if so then what breed would be best and will they accept each other straight away or will there still be some pecking etc.

 

Sorry that's a lot of questions x

[Redwing]

The hen is probably a cross breed, I cant think of a breed with those characteristics

 

Personally I think you are in for an uphill battle, I would be tempted to find her a docile pal and then worry about introductions to the others in the spring?

 

Is she is good health? if so and if you can keep the other chickens well out of the way she should settle with another chook within a few days

 

Another option would be to use the most gentle of your existing hens as a friend for her

[Happily]

Thanks for replying.

 

Our most docile hen is Poppy who is in charge of the others - I know that is a bit of a contradiction but I think she has mastered delegation!! So would be reluctant to put her in and even though she is the most docile she is still pretty fiesty and wants to peck Pheobe and stand on her all the time.

 

If I was to put her with another chicken please can you advise what breed would be best, I am a bit of a novice and never really saw past keeping pekins!!

 

Thanks x

[Daphne]

I wouldn't normally recommend this, but as your new girl has a pompom (maybe this is why she is picked on so much, she can't see to get out of the way) you could try a poland in with her, either bantam or LF. Polands are docile, give them a narrow lipped drinker and it is essential they have shelter. As you only want a pet you could try emphasising you want a really quiet bird when you go to a breeder; most usually have one or two that are quiet/dim/slow.

[Tweety]

I agree with Redwing, and would forget the introductions to your existing flock for now and get a friend for her. The big pom pom on the head might mean that she has some Poland blood in her make up, so perhaps you could look for a Poland or another crested bird to keep her company.

Polands are at risk of being bullied because of their crests and restricted vision, so you may have to keep them separate from your other girls on a permanent basis.

I hope you can find her a little friend soon - she sounds very unhappy

[Redwing]

What part of the country are you in? I know someone in the Surrey area that has Polands coming out of their ears at the moment

[Happily]

I think I may have to speak to hubby about getting another eglu for her and a friend on a premanent basis I ahve become so attached to her as she is so sweet and when I stroke her on my lap she purrs I will look into the Poland as suggested and hopefully she will cheer up once she has company. I think you are right she will never get on with my pekins as they are very fiesty noisy little hens, more so than some hybrids I know

[Happily]

I'm only in kent so depending where in Surrey may be doable, please can you let me know the details, thanks x.

[ohcarolina]

I'm in Sussex and commute to Kent daily for work so if you need a delivery or a meet in a lay-by depending on distance I'm happy to help. Anything for a poor sad girl

[Redwing]

This is the lady with the Polands but I have remembered that they are quite big so maybe not what you are looking for

 

http://www.barbaraspoultry.webeasysite.co.uk/

[Happily]

Thanks Redwing, I have spoken to Babara today about her polands but as they are large fowl ones I am a bit reluctant. would have gone to have a look to see size etc but she is an hour and a half from me so a 3 hour round trip which with a 6 month old baby does not sound like too much fun!!

 

Are there any other types of hen that would be a good match? I know this is a long shot but would a silkie be a good match, I have heard they are quite docile - only reason I ask as I would love to get a silkie but if not a good match then won't.

 

On the plus side I pick up a tomorrow with a 3m run also I have moved her current run a bit further from the ferocious four and she is like a different chicken, eating, drinking, scratching around and even being a little bolshy with me! So pleased she has perked up now, just need to get her a pal and all is sorted.

 

One other question, when I get her a friend can I just put them straight in together in the new run?

 

Thanks everyone for your advice xx

[Poached Egg]

We have a very docile Barre du uccle(Bantam)which came from Breeder Priscilla Middleton in Lamberhurst.

She is helpful and may be able to suggest a good match depending on which breeds she currently has available.

[Happily]

We have a very docile Barre du uccle(Bantam)which came from Breeder Priscilla Middleton in Lamberhurst.

She is helpful and may be able to suggest a good match depending on which breeds she currently has available.

 

Ooohhh Lamberhurst is close to where I am, please can you give me her details.

 

Thanks x

[Poached Egg]

Certainly-She advertises in Practical Poultry and the tel number to contact her on is 01892 723115.

[Chortle Chook]

Do let us know how things go and what you decide to get to go with your little girl. I suspect, as others have said, that she might have some Poland in her, but I would think that a Silkie would go fine with her. The pom poms can restrict vision and so make the hen an easy victim as well as a bit nervous. One of my slikies has a very large pom pom on her head and she gets along very well with my Poland.