BridieLou Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Hi all We've had two of our three hens taken this evening. Extremely sad, but more so for the third who is now left alone. I've no idea what to do with her. Can anyone advise. I can't possibly leave her alone, she'll go mad. And any newbies would receive horrid treatment. Devastated and clueless. Thanks x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 Anyone have any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Sorry to hear you lost two of your hens. Your remaning hen will be fine for a few days, so I wouldn't do anything rash right now. Investigate your options and then make a decision. I know the general advice is to not add a single hen to others, but I think it can be done. You could decide to add a single hen now and two more later. But I think some here have successfully added new hens to single remaining hen. If you have the possibility to do introductions somewhere else (boarding place, breeder etc.) you don't have the stress and the hens have neutral territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 Thanks Cattails. I didn't know that you could introduce one on one. Thought there might be serious bullying but I will reserach if you think it's possible. Feel so sad today. My poor little girls. I felt awful for the remaining one this morning. She never lets anyone touch her (unlike the other two), and would only stop crying when we picked her up yesterday. Poor thing. If anyone has experience adding 1-2-1 I'd love to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I had two and when one decided to play on the road I then had 1 and added in another - a bit of pecking for a few days but then it sorted itself and they are the best of pals. Just left them to get on with it was a different colour too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I got left with one ex-batt Millicent when her sisters died. I kept just her for a time, but she became too humanised. She only wanted to be with me. If I put her back in the run she would put herself to bed even if it was the middle of the afternoon. I decided enough was enough when I found her under my garden chair eating my sandwiches and drinking my tea. So I went to the nearby poultry centre and bought Marigold. It helped that Marigold was such a confident happy chicken. I had a bit of pecking, and poor Marigold had to be covered in anti peck spray for a while, but she soon learnt to just stay still, not make eye contact and Millie would get bored. They were the best of friends after a week or so. My biggest concern for you is how are you going to stop it coming back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I'm sorry to hear about your loss Fortify your housing and run, then get 2 more hens to add to the one you have left. If you take your time with introductions they will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 I feel hugely relieved. Thanks all for your help. We were going to buy a WIR anyway as we are getting the garden done and didn't want them free ranging once it's looking good. Their existing run is perfectly secure, but too small for full time use. We shall push the button on the bigger one today I think. Coincidentally, my cousins boss had two of his three hens killed on Wednesday night too. He was looking to rehouse his hen, Ketchup, so I may try and see if we can adopt her so Ailsa has a friend. Feels like serendipitous timing so maybe it's a sign... Thanks so much for all your reassurance about introductions. You've really put my mind at ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Taking Ketchup sounds like a good idea. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Good luck with Ketchup, great name. You can then introduce another two in time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 I'm sorry to hear about your loss Fortify your housing and run, then get 2 more hens to add to the one you have left. If you take your time with introductions they will be fine I was going to say exactly the same. If you introduce just the one then in a few months time you may be in the same position. I am down to 2 and they are old ex commercial girls but I plan to take a hen holiday so I can have a few holidays and short breaks but otherwise I would always have a minimum of three (obviously space willing) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 Hi all! Thanks so much for your help and advice. Husband and I went to Mantel Farm yesterday in Sussex and picked up two new pullets! 20 weeks, but big and lovely. A Speckled Maran, named Audrey and an Amber Star, named Amber. We let all three FR under supervision yesterday and Amber got a few pecks from Ailsa. Nothing too serious and she soon learned to walk off and ignore her. Last night we put the new girls in the run and at dusk they both went up to bed! We kept Ailsa out of the run - she's currently in a dog cage pushed right next to the chicken run with plenty of toys. We're letting her FR every hour to avoid boredom. Does this seem like a reasonable plan?! How long till we can pop them all in the run together? (We have anti pecking spray at the ready!!). Thanks so much everyone. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 I kept mine separate for about six weeks, during that time I increased the amount of time they spent together free ranging and when they seemed happy to ignore each other for the majority of the time then left t them together unsupervised. All in all from start to finish I have found it averages out at about six weeks each time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted July 21, 2017 Author Share Posted July 21, 2017 **update** We picked up a Speckled Maran and an Amber Star on Sunday. All FRing happily, but quite a bit of pecking here and there. No blood drawn / feathers pulled (though I did spray Audrey with Scarper because Ailsa tried to peck her comb). Six days later and all are in the new run together! All three girls are laying and the pecking is minimal now. All eating and drinking happily. Audrey is an absolute superstar. Loves human attention and very happy to be stroked! An enormous thanks to all of you for your help and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted July 22, 2017 Share Posted July 22, 2017 Lovely news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 That sounds like the easiest intro's ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
