Jen the Hen Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Hello Omleteers, I have a dilemma and could do with some advice please. I started with three hens about three years ago, but I lost one of my girls recently, so I'm left with two - Henrietta (original, eh) and Edna. I'm tempted to introduce two new hens, as the balance between 'old' and 'new' hens might help to mitigate the worst of any bullying. My dilemma is that Edna is looking like she might go claws up at any moment. I took her to my chicken vet about four months ago, who said that she probably wouldn't last long (suspected egg peritonitis) but I decided to give her a chance. She perked up after some antibiotics and lots of TLC. I'm very worried that new hens would be the last straw for Edna and she'll be bullied (although she's a feisty little hen, even now). On the other hand, Henrietta gets very distressed if she's left on her own, even for the briefest time (eg while I take Edna out of the run to check on her). I'm sure many of you have faced this before, so I'd be interested in your views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I haven't had to do this yet, but if it was me I think I would get two POL girls now. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 What a difficult problem, but I think I'd be inclined to get two new girls to match your two old ones as I think introducing 2 to 2 would be a lot easier than introducing 2 to one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clipclopboc Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I don't think introducing two new and younger chickens to one older chicken in her own territory should be a problem, in theory. Give as much space as possible whilst introducing - maybe they could do a lot of free ranging together. Also, do you have a spare coop and run incase of bullying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Go for it. I would, and have. You don't have to have a spare coop. I've got 3 in the shed at the moment. They come out every morning and go back in every night. I've also got a rabbit hutch, for which I make a make shift riun, If I have any problems. Do it while the nights are still relatively long it makes intros a little easier. Good luck. Sonya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Sounds like you have no choice Jen, given that Henrietta won't like being on her own at all. Two POL hens may be difficult to find at this time of year though? You haven't said what breed(s) your existing two are, but for best integration in my experience the newbies should be exactly the same. Chickens recognise colours very well and will always 'buddy up' with the same breed of the most similar colour to themselves. Very dissimilar colours are often badly bullied at the bottom of the pecking order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Totally agree Beantree. I once replaced an omlet miss Pepperpot with a black rock (actually the same breed). Girls didn't bat an eyelid, accepted her straight away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 That's really interesting about chickens buddying up by colour. Certainly it works by breed. My Polands always all sit together at night as do my frizzles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the Hen Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 Many thanks for everyone's extremely helpful replies. I made the decision on Saturday and got two new girls. I particularly liked the suggestion that hens recognise their own breed, so my new girls are Goldline hybrids just like Henrietta. Poor old Edna has gone to the big chicken coop in the sky, which was a very hard decision but she wasn't going to recover this time - I'll really miss that feisty little hen. Henrietta is a bit non-plussed by the two new girls, but she's not bullying as badly as I'd expected - just a bit of a peck every now and then. I swear she has a grumpy face, but better that she's not alone. I hope she'll see it that way eventually! Thanks again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 I'm glad that's what you decided to do. Henrietta will be too when she stops being cross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Excellent news about the new girls, Jen though sorry about Edna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Hope they all getting on have you had any eggs yet. X i got three new one last year to go with my two as one looked like on last legs no she still here now and i get 5 eggs aday my family and friends love it as i have so many eggs spare now x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
