Mrs

[Minnie&Moose]

I know it's not ideal but I've agreed to try to integrate a friend's remaining hen with our existing 'big' girls. The incomer is a large, feisty hybrid, used to having her own way. Our 'large' fowl are, with the exception of the top hen, quite well mannered, gentle birds. So - I plan to take this very very slowly. I've done several intros before so I think I have some idea of what this might be like but any additional tips from those who've introduced a single, mature hen, successfully, would be most welcome.

 

New bird will come with her own eglu & run so will be quarantined for a couple of weeks at the other end of the garden - she can see and hear the other birds but that's it. All being well (ie she stays healthy - her friend died of old age, assisted by the vet) the newbie will meet the big girls through her eglu run a few times, and then she'll have a chance to learn the garden layout without interference from the residents. Once I'm confident she knows her way around and interactions are reasonably cordial between all birds (with a barrier), then we'll try some free ranging and go from there (armed with broom and supersoaker no doubt!). I don't intend to let her get near the bantams until I've seen how she behaves with the big girls (one bantam is feisty and the 3 together pick on my lovely Cochin something rotten ) but I don't want to risk any injuries. I'm not in any hurry (I can have the spare eglu for as long as I need it) but is there anything else I can do to try and ensure a successful outcome?

Edited April 21, 2013 by Guest

[Lewis]

Sounds perfect to me!

 

After a week or 2 could you put her eglu run in or next to your existing chooks?

 

Maybe try free ranging her with a couple of your existing chooks lower in the pecking order - if they get on maybe even put them in he eglu together for a couple days before introducing the whole flock

[Minnie&Moose]

After a week or 2 could you put her eglu run in or next to your existing chooks?

 

Maybe try free ranging her with a couple of your existing chooks lower in the pecking order - if they get on maybe even put them in he eglu together for a couple days before introducing the whole flock

 

Thanks - good idea re putting her nearby the others when she's out of quarantine. I'm sure I can squeeze her eglu in with a bit of careful rearranging.

[Lewis]

Looking forward to the photos!

[Minnie&Moose]

Pearl, our solitary 'foster' hen has now joined the others. She's still choosing to sleep in her own eglu but spends the day with the others. There's been a few stand-offs between Pearl and Mavis (top hen) but it hasn't been too bad - mainly because Pearl is another big, bolshy hybrid like Mavis

[Lewis]

Glad to hear it