Dippy Egg Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 Despite having been told by my OH that 2 chucks is plenty I have bought a third today! She is a 28 day old Bluebell. I clipped her wings and put her in with my other 2 (Miss Pepperpot & Gingernut Ranger) a couple of hours ago. There was a lot of noise to start with & my two existing hens jumped on her. They are slightly younger & smaller. None of them are laying yet. I have food & water both inside the eglu and out in my large fenced run so fingers crossed that things don`t get too nasty & that Bluebell can settle in calmly. I thought I would put them all in the eglu tonight but leave access to the run (with cage door shut) and provide a small log for Bluebell to perch on if she wants to keep out of Poppy & Ruby`s way. What does anyone think please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah 2 Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I don't really know the answer. But I think that at 28 days old she's too little to defend herself against the others. Have you got anywhere else you could put her until she's a little bit bigger? When I introduced my new hen she was pol. I put her in the run on her own so the others could watch then they slept together at night. Then in the morning let them free range together. Don't know if this will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dippy Egg Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 Thanks Sarah 2, Bluebell is actually older than my other 2 but obviously vulnerable because she is th newbie. She has taken herself into the Eglu & the others are free ranging in the outdoor area but they could get to her if they wanted to. Normally Ruby & Poppy are placid so it is strange to see them bullying. I know hens have to establish their pecking order but it is rather unsettling to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I'm sure others will be aling soon to offer more advise, but if the new one is older than the other 2 I would think that should be okay......Probably the best thing is to keep a close eye on them....Im only basing this on other threads ive read...... If this info is incorrect please correct me........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I'm confused about the ages, did you mean 28 weeks, not days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 They are fine at night. I introduce the newbie when the oldies have been roosting a while and very dozy. I shut the door and let them out in the morning. I think they stay relatively still if shut away in the eglu. It depends if the old ones are used to being let out of the eglu or just wander out when they want (like mine ) It sounds like you meant 28 weeks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I'm confused about the ages, did you mean 28 weeks, not days? I think they must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dippy Egg Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 Yes SILLY ME 28 weeks for Bluebell, 20 weeks for Poppy & Ruby! Thanks everyone for your advice & patience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 Tomorrow you will probably have more of an idea of how much (if any) the other 2 pick on her. My new chicken was a few weeks younger than the other 3. They all set upon her and she had to fly 2/3 foot high to get away from them. I had to keep her in my childrens wendy house whilst I was at work as the other 3 attacked her when they inside the run together. Free ranging the lawn together was ok (as Stella steered clear or flew off). But at night I did the same as you. I waited for the other 3 to go to bed, then put Stella in through the eggport door. I kept the eglu door shut until the morning. I'm sure they will work out the pecking order soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
