quirkas Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Hello We have one cube with run with Snow Queen hen survivor of previous batch probably about 7 and in good health. one Eglu with run with5 hens born January. The runs face each other but the hens are separate. They are let out for exercise in the garden separately Tomorrow a walk in run for the cube arrives. Issue we want all the hens in together in the cube and run. Best way to manage this. Thanks Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 It's all about territory I think. If the old hen is on familiar territory and the youngsters are introduced to her one at a time each day and I think you will be successful. Put her in with them as an established flock in their own space and you may have major problems. I realise they are familiar with each other but that won't necessarily be an advantage. But every case is different because hens all have different personalities and they all have different space requirements as well. Just as long as the run is large enough for 8, so in my opinion at least 8 square metres if they are also free ranged, or 16 if they are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 If they are used to each other through the run wire, I would start to free range them together first, double upon the food and water stations, and prop up some branches for use as a hide. Start this off when you are around to referee. Allow plenty of time before your force any integration, and as Beantree has said, try a new patch so that it isn't perceived as home territory by any flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 If you get the connection panel for the Eglu you could attach that to the WIR as well as the cube which may help at first too. If it's an Omlet run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 as The Dogmother as said free range them all together for a while and see what happens you just might have the integration made for you but you might just need to move them into the cube as in all likelihood they all end up in the smallest coop. but if they don't join up on their own intro's at this time of year are a little bit easier as it's darker longer than it's light I moved 2 growers (they've been in the living room since the end of August) Saturday night in with a lone grower that's about 5 weeks older than them and a twice the size but scared of his own shadow mom stayed with him far to long but that was her choice. at the moment all fine they were all sat together 'watching the world go by' yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
