majuka Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 We're looking for some advice about Jemima, who as of yesterday is now by herself. We started the year with seven girls, all ex batts. We had 3 pts in January, all to peritonitis. We then had another girl pts in June due to a tumour. At that point we started wondering about getting more girls as we didn't ever want to be left with just one. We decided against it for the time being as our old girl Bertie was too old to deal with the stress of new arrivals. Mid November Bertie looked off colour and the vet made a diagnosis of an ovarian tumour. We had Bertie pts last Monday. By the end of the week Izzy was looking a bit off colour and when she started waddling we realised she may also have peritonitis. This was confirmed by the vet and he started her on antibiotics. She appeared to pick up over the weekend and we thought she might make it but started to deteriorate again and we had Izzy pts yesterday. Now we just have Jemima. I know from previous threads that hens don't tend to do well on their own and Jemima is certainly looking very confused and anxious today. Our concern is what we do now. I have just had an e-mail from our local BHWT coordinator saying that they have a collection on 28 Dec, but that is so long for her to be alone. We've considered the possibility of getting non ex batts but I think I have seen in other threads that most breeders have sold most of their stock, I wouldn't even know where to start to look for non ex batts. We're not sure what to do about introductions either. Previously we have isolated the new girls for a couple of weeks, then let them see each other but not touch each other for a couple of weeks and then let them start mixing when free ranging before merging them as one flock. We are concerned that if we went for the ex batts say, by the time Jemima mixed with them they would have formed their own little flock and Jemima would be an outsider against four and get very badly picked on. On top of that, Jemima's droppings look a bit more white than normal and that is how Izzy's started off. Her comb also appears to be a bit more flaky than it was a couple of days ago and we now have concerns that Jemima is also developing peritonitis. I shall be taking her to the vets for a check up by the end of the week, obviously if she is developing peritonitis then we won't be going ahead with any new girls at the moment. Any advice on mixing one solitary girl or any general advice on our situation would be very much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I'd be inclined to get 2 POL from somewhere reputable now.... Where are you as I'm sure people could recommend a breeder? Leaving her alone for a month is unfair to her in my opinion, but you could get 2 new hybrids now and then add a few ex batts at the end of the month. You'll probably find introducing 2 youngsters to one oldie should be ok, she will be glad of company and being younger the hybrids would be unlikely to challenge for top spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I'd be inclined to get 2 POL from somewhere reputable now.... Where are you as I'm sure people could recommend a breeder? Leaving her alone for a month is unfair to her in my opinion, but you could get 2 new hybrids now and then add a few ex batts at the end of the month. You'll probably find introducing 2 youngsters to one oldie should be ok, she will be glad of company and being younger the hybrids would be unlikely to challenge for top spot. I agree with Space Chick. You could get two POL chooks now and a couple of ex bats too, later perhaps. With the National over there are quite a few people around who are looking for homes for breed chickens now. Take a look on the Omlet breed section and see what takes your fancy, then ask around on this forum or look on the ads in Practical Poultryor on the The Omlet Marketplace. Alternatively you could get a couple of hybrids. Most medium sized breeders have these now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 So sorry to hear about all the losses you've had with your ex batts, it must have been really hard for you. Sadly it seems to often be how ex batts are, although when healthy they are the sweetest girls you could have as I'm sure you know having had so many. I agree with the advice given to you already about adding a couple of POL hens. As they would be quite young they'd most likely be a bit more timid too. I know our ex batts are far more feisty than any of our pure breeds or hybrids and everytime we've done intros it's been the ex batts who've dominated the flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Thank you for the replies and the advice. We also thought to leave her until the end of December would be very hard and lonely for her. We are not far from Coventry if anyone knows anywhere they can recommend (we would be happy to travel). My hubby likes bantams and I like the Transylvanian Naked Necks but we've never really considered anything other than an ex batt before so there is a lot to consider! Thanks again, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Just an afterthought, we've isolated previous newbies - will most POL be vaccinated or is there anything they may pass onto Jemima? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Does anyone have any feedback on Mini Meadows in Northamptonshire. I think we would want a pair of hybrids rather than pure breeds. I have seen a few times that people have been sold a cockerel rather than a POL hen, is this very rare? Sorry for all of the questions, I know nothing about or even where to get a hen that is not an ex batt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 If you can get to Malvern or Banbury then I can recommend Newland Grange or Cotswold Chickens... Both have fully vaccinated, well cared for hybrid birds that you could easily put straight in. These are really good guys so wouldn't sell a cockerel as a hen. Pure breeds tend not to be vaccinated, so following a quarantine period is wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Thank you Space Chick, that is very helpful I'm just looking at Cotswold Chickens now, it looks very good there. Some beautiful birds as well. I'll get Jemima booked in for her check up at the vets (everything crossed she is in good health ). If so, she will have some new friends by the weekend. It's just such a dreadful situation, we just never imagined that we would lose two in such quick succession. We really do appreciate the information and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Sorry to hear about all your losses Hope you get some lovely girls at the weekend for your Jemima Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
House MD 221B Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Good luck and all the best, I'm afraid I don't have anything to add that anyone else hasn't more than exceeded what I could help with. However I empathise, we have been in your situation when we had 1 of our original 2 die very suddenly, and we had to rush around trying to find breeders. In the mean time mirrors and stuff for her to do might help quell the boredom and loneliness, that's what we did while we hunted, it took us about 7-10 days in total to get new chooks, and as we were both at home for the whole time we could spend a lot of time outside with her, and she could FR all day every day so we were quite lucky in that respect. But that's all I can add, Mirrors and occupying her time with things to do. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Thank you so much for your kind words and advice everyone, it is much appreciated. I have booked Jemima in for her check up at at the vets tomorrow morning. All being well I will be heading over to Cotswold Chickens tomorrow to find two new friends for her. I just hope she likes the ones we get! She does have a mirror in her run and I left her with a broccoli stalk this morning. I will be able to finish work a little earlier today so she will have company this afternoon at least. I will keep you posted with how we get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavysqueak Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Does anyone have any feedback on Mini Meadows in Northamptonshire. I think we would want a pair of hybrids rather than pure breeds. I have seen a few times that people have been sold a cockerel rather than a POL hen, is this very rare? Sorry for all of the questions, I know nothing about or even where to get a hen that is not an ex batt We met the gentleman who runs mini meadows in the summer at the Good Food / Gardeners World Live show. He was really nice and chatted to us for ages about his set up. We have passed his details on to a friend who has contacted him about some girls and he was really helpful to them as well. So much so that they are going to get some silkies (I think!) from him soon. So I don't know anyone who's actually had hens from him, but his service so far and what he says about his set up seems good. Good luck finding some friends for your lonely girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Good luck! We drove up from Southampton to get three new chooks from Cotswold Chickens in the summer when both our Omlet girls were PTS because of peritonitis. They were very helpful there. One tip - we wanted a mix of 3 different types. Cotswold Chickens have several 'barns' with a couple of breeds in each so we gaily chose 2 grey ones (a Bluebelle and a Speckledy) from one and one (a Goldline) from another 'barn'. So although we assumed they were all being introduced to their new (Omlet WIR) home together of course they didn't then 'know' each other and so we had a horrible 'newbies' week whilst the pecking order was sorted, with the Bluebelle and Speckled Grey picking on the Goldline. After helpful advice on here we introduced some extra feed points which helped them stay apart and eventually they settled. It is now Goldie who has ended up as top chook. Another tip is that I think they are used to layers mash there as although our three did eat some of the layers pellets we'd used with our Omlet girls, they were very reluctant feeder. We gave in finally and bought some layers mash and they now eat that with relish and only the local robin now goes to the grub for pellets. The girls eat their mash from a hanging feeder and the powder left in the evening is what i mix up to make porridge in the evening so there's no waste. Hope that helps and you get some nice new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Hope you manage to get some tomorrow Generally they are fine to mix together out the different stables as they are raised together in barns and smell the same, they are just split into breeds to make it easier for customers to see. There will always be a bit of sorting out the pecking order so extra feed stations is a good tip They will be used to layers pellets and mash ... normally fed on mash but it depends what is open tbh! Chooks tend to eat more mash rather than pellets as its a crumb, but personally I prefer feeding pellets - up to your preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Do let us know what chickens you get won't you? I too would really recommend Cotswold Chickens. When I went their chooks were in the cleanest of cleanest set ups and all looked so well cared for. The people were also really nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 please excuse my rubbish Geography.. But Little Hen in Norfolk will always have some ex bats lookong for ho,mes. a;so a lady in Cambridge which even I know is not so near cos Norfolk is further Wigan too is desperately lookoing for homes... x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Well, here is a very happy update Jemima went for her check up at the vets and is in excellent health . So, off I went to Cotswold Chickens - really nice place, helpful people, beautiful birds and exceptionally clean stables where the girls were. Total dilema for me how to choose from such gorgeous hens. I went for two and I came back with two so there will still be room for some more ex batts later on . I came back with a bluebell and the new araucana hybrid. I wanted to pop over later so that I could introduce them at bed time but my day wouldn't have worked that way. I got them home, let them settle for a while and then introduced them to Jemima. She fluffed up a bit, had a couple of half hearted pecks at the araucana, who bocked and turned away. Jemima looked a bit confused and then did the same to the bluebell, who did exactly the same. Jemima stood there for a moment or two and then just started scratching about with them. So all in all, very successful. They are milling about quite happily at the moment, the odd grumpy look from Jemima but overall - relatively peaceful. Both my husband and I really, really appreciate all of the information advice and kind words, both on the thread and by PM. It has been a tough year for us, chicken wise, and we never foresaw being left with just one in such a short matter of time but the problem re Jemima being on her own is now solved. Thank you everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I'm so pleased there is such a happy ending, and that Jemima has some new friends Now... we need photos and names of the newbies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 I'm so pleased there is such a happy ending, and that Jemima has some new friends Now... we need photos and names of the newbies I have taken loads already they will follow later on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Glad you got them! Hope it helps and the intros go well I've met your girls at work but still want some photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 majuka that is such a nice ending. How brilliant that Jemima has settled down so easily with her new friends. I really like Bluebells and everyone says what lovely, friendly chooks they are Will you get blue eggs from the araucana or have I got my breeds all muddled up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Ok, this is my first photo posting on here so I hope it works! Let me know if you recognise them Lewis! The lady in question, the gorgeous Jemima: Our beautiful new bluebell, Ella: Our beautiful new araucana, Esmerelda Getting to know each other: Once they have got a bit more used to each other and us we will let them through into the main garden and Jemima can show them the best places for grub catching!! You may have noticed a bit of a theme with our girls names, we started off trying to think of girls names ending in 'A' and it has just gone on from there. Cheaky Chook, Esmerelda will lay green eggs although I believe that the araucana itself lays blue or green (if I am wrong, please let me know someone!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Gorgeous pics, and lovely girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Yep, she will lay green eggs! Nice Ara hybrid, I have her sister from last weekend ... and I have an Esmerelda! Glad you managed to clip their wings too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
