Omlet cube and run

[maryeadrian]

I had to put one of my two girls down today. The remaining one is a 4 year old GLW. She was lowest on the pecking order, but likes to attack me. Really. And she breaks skin. So I don't handle her often.

 

The question is: How long until I should get her company? Someone suggested 3 baby chicks. That way I could bond with them and when they're old enough to go outside she might "mother" them. Others say get similar sized ones. I think the closest in size I can get around here are 3-6 months old.

 

I have two runs with a coop in each. They are separated by deer netting so they can see each other and actually sit next to each other. Or get away from each other. I'm thinking this would be good for introductions. Each is about 50 sq ft. Once they get along I can remove the divider and they all can have the entire space.

 

Suggestion? Ideas? Experiences?

 

Thanks.

[snaps]

When this happened to me the first time I got two more hens very quickly, the same day, I think, Thereafter we did the same thing and it seemed to work. There was initial distrust of sharing their eglu sleeping quarters and sometimes I had to push the reluctant hen in and shut the door on all three but they always settled down very quickly.

 

I felt most sorry for our first little Isa Brown hen when her lifelong companion died and was replaced by two sturdy year old Light Sussexes but she was quite philosophical about it.

 

You have the advantage of being able to keep a newcomer separate for a bit which is an advantage if your hen might be a bit agressive. It also helps in making sure the newcomer isn't carrying lice or anything.

[maryeadrian]

Thanks for your reply! How old were your new ones that you added to the remaining one? About the same age? I sure hope I have intros as smoothly as yours sounded. Thanks again. I really appreciate the response.

[snaps]

The first time we introduced two new ones to our surviving singleton the new ones were about the same age. Then we had just two for ages. Next time one died we just replaced with one as there was a real shortage of hens - this one was younger. Then we added one more and then two more as ones died. We never had more than three and never seemed to have three for very long.

 

There was a bit of a fight once and one drew blood from the other's comb but it didn't last long. Perhaps only having two or three means there's less of a pecking order? Definitely the worst time was having to shut them all in at night together, usually having to round up the newcomer and post her through the door - in the same eglu - I dreaded what I might find in the morning but it was always ok. Th funniest was when we introduced a new third one to two established ones and the established pair sat outside the eglu at bed time in an aggrieved mood and resisted being put in with the usurper but that too was ok after the first night's resistance.

 

I was warned not to get a bantam as bigger hens might go for smaller ones.

 

Good luck!

[C&T]

We were in your position just before Easter, and got 2 new POL hens on Thursday before Easter Weekend, giving us the 4 days at home with them all.

 

The intros went really smoothly all in together in one coop that first night and stayed together pretty much ever since. We made sure there were a couple of food and drink stations so the old hen couldn't guard both, and for the first couple of days I took the old hen out for 30 mins in the morning and late afternoon to make sure the newbies could feed/drink without interruption. Although to be honest, they didn't act like they desperate for any respite.

 

I think our old hen was just grateful for the company!!! And apart from a few pecks and a few loose feathers as they all found their place in the pecking order, there were no issues.

 

But, importantly, we had a back up plan in case it didn't work out. We were able to separate if needed!

 

Good luck.

[merlina]

I was in exactly the same position a few weeks ago.

I got 3 new hens - all POL, two hybrids and an araucana

Introductions went far easier than I imagined or expected - I popped the newbies in the run overnight and they slept 'downstairs' as it was almost dark when we got back.

The next day I let them out together (in the run, not FR) just to see and they were fine!

Very little squabbling and now they're all running round together like they have been best friends for ages.

I was completely prepared to remove them to a separate temporary home while they got used to each other, but it didn't seem necessary (I did keep a very close eye on them)

 

My older hen, Edna, is something over 3 years old and is a warren. she seems very happy to have new friends

[maryeadrian]

Thanks for the replies and experience! I'm gathering I just can't control this ahead of time. Now I'm down to the decision of what kind to get, from where and what age. All the same age of 8 weeks? Or one 12 week and 2 8 weeks? One woman has rare breeds and are all the same age. The hens are quite expensive and it feels like she doesn't have time for questions. The other woman has my all time favorite, Buff Orpington (always wanted one) that will be 12 weeks and 2 Ameracauna that will be 8 weeks. Her hens aren't as expensive and she's been very helpful and accomodating, sending photos, etc. I have heard that Ameracauna's can be feather pickers, but I guess it depends on the individual hen. I could also get a Black Sex Link and Ameracauna.

 

I really wanted a hen who layed dark brown eggs, but that would mean the woman with rare breeds. her 3 are a Double Laced Blue Barnevelder, Swedish Flower and Olive Egger.

 

If it weren't for that BO.....

 

So it's coming down to whether I'd be safer getting 3 the same age or 3 a couple weeks apart.