chickchick2012 Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 I have 1 hen left from my small flock of 3 bantams. Do I get 2 more hens or is it so difficult to introduce new ones, that it's better to start again from scratch and re-home my remaining one. Please help Thank you very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISCA Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Personally I would get more hens, of a similar size, and introduce them. Chickens are flock birds and need at least one other companion for a happy, healthy life. This may help: http://www.newlandpoultry.com/images/pdfs/introducing_new_hens.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 it's not difficult if you don't rush it trouble with forums by their very nature is your going to get more posts about the negatives of intros than the positives because folk are going to be looking for help with a bad intro not a good one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 If you are dreading the whole introduction, I have opted for the lazy version! When I put my chickens in boarding, I made the owners stick to new chickens in with my existing two. Unknown turf for all of them and I didn't have fo worry about them for a week. Had no problems since they got home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Lets just say a week makes a whole lot of difference - I have just introduced another one to the last hen I had - she decided to be a bully over food until she realised there was plenty to go round both of them and within the week are the best of pals and both laying well. Well.... small pullet eggs from the newbe and a wind egg today!! I do not have a spare run to enable me to keep them apart so I just go for it!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Same here. That's why I let the boarding place do it for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickchick2012 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 Thank you everyone for your replies. I think I will take a chance and see if I can find 2 new bantam Wyandottes to go with my existing one. Much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Same here. That's why I let the boarding place do it for me! Proves it works fine eh!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Jup! Just chuck em together and walk away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 I have introduced twice in the past and just put them in together and let them get on with it. You hear the odd squabble but it soon calms down and the pecking order sorts it out. I just put extra food and water stations in to avoid any going hungry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Oh dear...I'm for the slow approach, a couple of weeks keeping them separate then very slow introductions, I guess it has to be what works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I think it does depend on how many chickens you have and want to put together. If you have to big gangs that can square up on eachother it might be wisest to do the slow approach. My two itty bitty bantams had no chance and no choice I guess. And they were used to be in with big fowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 My mum had 1 left and introduced 4 new ones just into the house at night and then left them to it. No problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
