newlaidegg Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Thanks everyone for all your tips and advice on introducing new hens. I cherry-picked advice and we now have 4 happy hens. I let the two established hens free-range for a couple of hours each morning for a few days to let the others feed and get to the water. I closed them in together in the eglu during the night and yesterday I held my nerve and kept them all in the run but blocked off the eglu so that they had to just get on with it. There was a LOT of argy bargy but finally today things have settled down and the oldies are eating next to the newbies from the grub. (Although the cheeky blighters are STILL chucking it all over the floor) Queenie has also stopped chasing them indoors and standing guard at the eglu door! The noise levels of boc-boc-bocking have reduced dramatically. Peace at last! (Who am I trying to kid?!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Great news! If you want more spill-proof feeding area, then try an Eltex galvanised trough - I've got one which is about 18" long and it's is fab for allowing them all space to feed without getting any food spilt or kicked out. It sits in the run under the clear rain cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 that's so good to hear, well done on keeping your nerve too, mine were in tatters when it happened to me! I had a little bit of argy bargy trouble and without the guys on here I wouldn't have known what to do! Now I have a happy little flock and sounds like you do too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlaidegg Posted November 22, 2007 Author Share Posted November 22, 2007 Will order a trough forthwith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 I loved it so much that I now have two troughs, so that one can be drying off while I put the food in the already clean one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...