Tweety Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I have a pair of Frizzles, aged about 10 months, and want to get some more hens as the cockerel will obviously need more than one female for company. Are the guidelines for introductions the same when introducing hens to a cockerel? Do I need to keep them separated initially for any reason other than quarantine, or will the cockerel sort out any pecking order issues? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Sorry I can't help , but knowing the lovely helpers on here someone can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I just follow my normal procedures after quarantining, but keep a closer watch than normal. My cockeral doesn't sort out squabbles between his ladies, but he will sort them out if they are annoying him! The hens may well squabble, so introducing 2 or 3 at a time to your existing pair is probably wise as your current hen should be quite secure in her position and territory and introducing a lone new girl could be a bit daunting for her. In my experience the cockeral isn't likely to take exception to new hens, but then I don't keep pairs so it is possible your boy might be so attached to his lady that he isn't interested in anyone new or even is hostile. However, I don't think that is very likely - the prospect of extra female company usually outweighs any loyalty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Thanks for that Daphne. I will be introducing at least 3 new hens together, so hopefully there won't be too much trouble, but I will keep a careful eye on them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I think it depends on the depth of the bond. It took ages to introduce two new ones to established trio. It wasn't Phillip who liked the idea of more ladies, but Mrs Phillip no 1 who didn't like the idea! Interestingly, I have now grown to 10 in that little group but the original 3 still spend most of their time together - apart from when Phillip jumps on to his other ladies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Good point - introducing 2 or 3 newbies in one go should get round the problem; hopefully the original hen can't be mean to 3 at once Put out extra feed/watering stations just in case and give them as much space as you can. I normally do my intros at night as I find it works better for me, but do whatever normally works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Space is the key. When I collected my 3 ex-batts I inadvertently bought a cockerel home with me. Now I had the for the ex-batts and didn't want them to be subjected to his advaces untill they were strong enough so I had no choice but to put him in with the other girls in the He had been checked out at The Little Hen Rescue. There was a bit of fronting up that last seconds and then they were all fine. A few weeks later I allowed them to free range all together and last night one of my ex-batts put herself to bed in the . If you have space it is much easier and I am speaking from experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
