SueChick Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Hi - it has been ages since I have posted in here and it’s so good to be back! I am really excited to be getting my first rescue hens ever! I have had hens from point of lay for about 10 years now and so I finally feel able to take on some rescue ladies and it feels lovely to be doing my bit. I am concerned though about the inevitable intro fights. I am able to keep them separate easily enough though but my old ladies (age 4 and 5) will have to sleep and lay in a cat box in the walk in walk run with access to the garden as the new ladies will be in the eglu classic with the run attached. However, the lady from the rescue centre said sleeping together at night would be fine and I’m wondering whether to do this as it would keep my old ladies warmer instead of the cat box. If I do let them sleep together however, how on earth do I manage to extract the old ladies from the eglu classic without the new ladies coming out and a big fight enusing?!? Sleeping together would be a great idea as I know I will be worrying about my ladies every time the weather drops over night! Any ideas please would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Exciting to be getting rescue hens - they're very rewarding. I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Re getting your older birds out in the morning - if they're all shut in the eglu over night then could you lift them out via the egg port before opening the eglu door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 That’s what I’d suggest too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted March 31, 2018 Author Share Posted March 31, 2018 Thank you for the great suggestions. The only issue is that when I have tried to do this before it has set up a bit of stumbling panic around the eglu and scared the life out of me because I thought someone would get hurt. I will give it a go though if you think sleeping together is a help towards calmer intros? Then it would worth a bit of a flap around? What do you think? Really appreciate the help thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 It's worked for me sometimes, but not every time. Depends on getting them up before they're fully awake, I think. And if you've got a super aggressive one in there. I've found its the new ones who attack the oldies because they're so used to fighting for food, space etc. Try it, and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 If you’re not totally set on getting them to sleep together from the start I don’t think I’d bother unless you really do think your old girls won’t be warm or comfortable enough in their alternative accommodation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
