2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Henergy]

The last time I introduced 2 new chickens I still had my old wooden coop in addition to my eglu. Now though the old coop has been sold which freed up alot of space. But I have fallen in love with an Exchequor Leghorn so thought I would add two to my four. What is the cheapest way of doing introductions. Ideally would get a Go plus some chicken fencing but have limited funds. I'm now thinking of cat carrier & a makeshift run. Any other ideas ?

[debbier]

Hi,

 

I just got two new chooks to add to my sadly depleted flock of two. Last time I did it, the two newbies were younger, without many tail feathers, and I sorted out splitting my WIR in two, with two coops etc. This time, they are older, and will hopefully be able to hold their own a bit more with my older hens, so I've put in a makeshift partition and will put them together at night, and only seperate them in the day for a few days.

 

Good luck!

 

Debbie

 

I should have said, I used an old dog crate for a makeshift coop for the newbies, not a "proper" coop.

[debbier]

First night last night. I put the newbies in the coop with the oldies after dusk. Six thirty this morning I was out bright and early (for me, anyway!) and the two oldies were up and about. They were moved into the partition easily enough with a bit of corn. The two newbies were still in the coop looking a bit scared.

 

I've just been outside and they are still in the Eglu. I'll give them a bit longer, and see how they go.

[debbier]

My newbies have been sleeping in the same coop as the two oldies, and yesterday afternoon had a trial integration in the WIR, while I was around doing the gardening. The two oldies have been pecking them, but not prolonged or too maliciously. It was much, much worse last time I introduced the two (now) oldies to my original Omlet birds.

 

I've put a large piece of wood in there which the little uns can hide behind, but now they don't seem to want to move from behind it at all. I can hardly blame them, but am a little concerned they won't get enough water etc.

 

As things aren't too bad at the moment, I'm inclined to let them carry on mixed in the same run, but wanted some reassurance that this is a reasonable approach?

[TooLilac]

sorry I can't help as we've not introduced new birds before, but are about to start as our two new girls have been quarantined for nearly 3 weeks. I've found your thread really interesting and useful to read in preparation for our introductions, so please keep posting updates ! I'm sure there are plenty of other 'lurkers' who would like to follow your progress too

[debbier]

Mini-update.

I haven't had to separate them since the early integration, which is nice as I've only had to do the early morning/late night messing around a few times (I'd never make a farmer!).

 

The newbies are sensible, and keep well out of harms way by perching on some high bars I have at either end of the run. I have put some feed and water up there so they aren't really needing to mix much at all at the moment. Once the newbies have bulked up a bit more I may try to stop this separate food+water molly coddling in an attempt to force them to get to know each other better. I'll see how it goes.

[KateH]

I used a wooden run I have for my guinea pigs, half of which is covered with tarpaulin. At the tarp end I put a large cat carrier up on bricks (I know they like going upstairs to bed..). This has worked well for me twice now. Hope that helps