Chicken Momma Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Sadly I lost Betty Chicken at some stage in the night. I think it was due to an egg breaking inside not disease - hence my question. I now have three hens in an Eglu Go. One of them was Betty's pal (I got her at the same time as Betty) and the other two were introduced two years later. They have been together as a foursome since September 2014. They are around 4 to 5 years old My questions are: Should I 'replace' Betty immediately to get back up to 4 hens or wait? Hopefully it will be a looooong time before I lose another chicken. Should I introduce one new hen on her own or introduce another pair? If I go for two new hens is there actually sufficient room for FIVE in an Eglu Go? (They are not large hens and weigh around 4lbs each. Not sure what to do. What is best for the girls? Your collective advice/opinions would be welcome. Angie RIP Betty Chicken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Sorry to hear about Betty Chicken, that is a good age though. Introducing a single hen is very difficult, I would wait until there's another vacancy and then add two more. Although hybrids can live to 7 or 8, I would say that at 4-5 years old your hens are elderly ladies and sadly it may not be that long before a vacancy occurs. I don't have a Go, but the issue usually isn't the coop but the run space which dictates the number of hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I agree with Olly. I also have an Eglu Go and I think 5 would be too many, but introducing one isn't a good idea. Sorry about Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Momma Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 Thank you so much for your advice folks. I think I will just go along with three girls for now. Somewhat worryingly Betty's pal (obtained at the same time) was rather listless this morning too. She also has dirty knickers as did Betty. However she laid a 66g egg yesterday and is now eating and drinking well, preening and pecking about as normal. I shall keep a close eye on her! Chicken behaviour is often strange. Yesterday, when I was getting the late Betty out of the coop, I set her down on the step next to me (for stroking and farewells ) The smallest chicken, Lucy, hopped up on the step next to me and kept peering at Betty and then at me - all the while making melodic chicken sounds ! (Lucy has a habit of following me round the garden asking questions to which I do not usually have the answer!) Was she missing her pal - or just chatting up the Great Mealworm Provider... Who knows. Anyway I appreciate your quick advice and response. Warm regards Angie (a.k.a. Chicken Momma) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
