jimnpaula Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I currently have Hen Solo here for respite (or possibly longer). She was bullied by her ex caged 'friends' and pecked quite a lot. I've had her in with my bottom hen and they seem to be accepting each other, but encounters with the others result in feather plucking and terrified squawking from her. I'm wondering whether to get them a young friend so that we have a trio to reintroduce? But have I got room? My walk in run is currently split in half: 2 girls in spacious luxury with an eglu and about 6x6ft of floorspace. The other 7 have the same plus a 3x6 ft platform and the cube. Free ranging is supervised And what friend if any? Locally I can get Orpingtons or hybrids, and possibly others depending what Beacon Stud have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 If it was me I wouldn't, you seem to have 8 in an 12 x6 run so are at capacity. Overcrowding can cause stress. Horrible situation for you, how about introducing one of the others to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 Thanks Plum, I think I knew this already really but was just excited at the thought of a new chook. So, back to introducing one of my others. Unfortunately, others (Aggie and Tango) I've tried have pulled Solo's feathers. They were both bottom to middle of the flock. I tried the second in command/enforcer (Crystal) and she seemed ok except she wanted to be in the other half of the run with top chook (Skye). I don't dare try her with Magic who seems to be working her way up to top of the middle ranks... Oh maybe I'll try a big change around and put 4 of the middle ranks on the eglu side, and put Solo & Nimbus (the 2 bottom), 1 middle and the 2 top ranks on the cube side... and some more anti peck spray on Solo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Poor thing sorry to hear she's still having trouble. The only thing I could think of is getting a new pol and just keep the 2 together. My cream legbar is scared of anything and wouldn't hurt a fly. I have also found, maybe just luck, that silkies are easy to introduce. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 So, well, some progress. While watching them free ranging this afternoon I noticed Solo not shying away from Sprite, unlike the way she avoids most of the others. So after FR I put her in with Solo and Nimbus (the bottom hen), and once dark I checked on them and found them all tucked away in the eglu. I suspect Sprite is currently the bottom of the middle ranking hens, so now I've got a set of wimpy hens to integrate instead! Oh well, at least there's a bit more room at the cube end now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Ah that's great news Paula, and sorry about the early text, hope I didn't wake you up:) would Love to come and visit after after Christmas if your up for it x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 I would definitely even up the two sides a bit and not add another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
