good_egg Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I feel properly horrible tonight. Our two remaining girls (we have only had them 6 weeks) were not taking to our new babies at all. After a horrible day yesterday we separated off the bit under the cube and the nestbox in it and put the babies under then put them in the nest box. This morning we reversed the move but Coco got through the netting and the two babies buried themselves under the grub. As we needed to leave them in the run while we were at work tomorrow and couldn't put our sad newbies through another pinning and pecking ordeal we phoned our breeder for advice. She suggested bringing back the older two and swapping for another two youngsters from her youngster flock. I'm sad to say we have taken this option. It was the most heartbreaking decision I have made and many tears have been shed. Our setup is just not one that allows us to do gradual integration and we wanted more than two hens. You may think me selfish and I do feel horrible, but we hadn't formed a bond with Lulu who was too flighty and Coco, although my girl, was not accepting the babies. My decision was cemented when the two new chooks crawled on my lap for a sleep. I'll never forget our three girls that started us off on our hen keeping journey but I am very hopeful version 2.0 will be less problematic. We now have 4 girls about 10 weeks old, a gold laced Wyandotte - Dot, a buff Sussex - Buffy, a cream legbar - Connie and a maren who is still unnamed. They are very happy together and the sight of them all piled up sleeping has slightly eased my conscience. Coco and Lulu have gone in with a big flock their size at the breeders but Lulu may join her breeding group. If I can work out pics I'll put my newbies on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Sometimes tough decisions have to be made. It sounds as though your first girls have got a lovely home. Introductions need time and space and chickens of the same size to work. You did what you needed to do and now have a happy quartet. I have recently done something similar in that my chickens numbers had got ridiculous (over 60) and I couldn't give them the time I needed to and they deserved. I couldn't part with my ex-bats or my original girl so had to part with others and it was horrible deciding who should go. I now know that I can spend more time with the girls I have left and enjoy them much more and my others have moved to a fabulous home. I'll not be repeating my mistake. But as I said before sometimes we all have tough decisions to make. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Sorry to hear you had to give them back I'm sure it was a hard decision but probably the best thing to do as I think 10 week old chickens are too young to mix with point of lay/adult hens. Your new girls sound lovely and I'm sure this time it will be a lot easier with them being the same age. They sound as if they will grow up to be very friendly chickens if they will sit on your lap already. I wish mine did that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I was wondering how you was getting on with your intros. All the stress you've been under since having chickens hasn't been much fun for you, and I really understand! I think you've done the right thing for you and your birds. I really hope that your new girls all settle down happily and you can enjoy your chooks! Can't wait to see the photos x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe smallholder Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Really sad for you that you had to make that decision but such a brave one. I'm sure your new babies will be happy and a delight to spend time with. We are regretting having our beechwood blue because she's such a bully to our little hetty the wyandotte. She was a late decision, thought as another hybrid which was supposed to be docile, she would make a happy addition to the three we'd already ordered. Good luck and lots of hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and support. Mrs B I suspect you have witnessed similar with your bullying and it was so heartbreaking with such a size difference. Wannabe smallholder I have been following your posts and hope things settle down for you. I've just been out to post everyone into the eglu, they had all roosted underneath in a big chicken fluffball. Think being walked up the ladder and passed to hubby to post into nestbox (not sure they are old enough for roosting bars) was a bit of a rude awakening but they look very comfy now. Thank you everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe smallholder Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Big chicken fluffball love it!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 I take my hat off to you for making such a brave decision. Hopefully chook keeping will all be a more enjoyable experience for you from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 I think under the circumstances it sounds like you made the best decision. As long as the two you rehomed are being looked after well then that's all good. I really don't think chickens bond with us in the same way that a pet kept in the home does, so I'm sure they will be fine in their new home and it sounds like you now have a pretty good set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
