Advice needed please

[country chic]

I lost 2 of my girls this week, one killed by a dog and the other missing, presumed dead : (,

This leaves Daisy all on her own in the coop, which I feel terrible about as they are flocking birds and need the company and security of others. I intend to get another two girls asap so she has company again but dont know how best to integrated them all together, any advice welcome thanks.

[binley100]

I don't keep chooks so am not much use but I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about your loss and hope you manage to get your new girls sorted together. x

[Nicos]

I've never done this- but I realise the best time of day to put them together is at dusk.
I'd be concerned re parasites and viruses the new ones might bring with them- so I'd be looking at a reputable breeder.
I gather that they will have to fight it out ( maybe not quite as aggressive) - so I'd have some purple spray to hand so you can instantly spray any wounds which may occur.
I think I'd be tempted to worm them all too at the same time.
Can you put them together say on a Friday evening so you have all weekend to keep an eye on them???

Sorry to hear about the other 2 ....very sad.

[polo]

That's a shame you lost two girls. For such voracious animals they are so vulnerable.

I agree with nicos. If you get news girls, try and get them Brent but in seperate pens for a week or so to get used to each other. Put the new girls on with your girl at night when you c!n be around to supervise. Expect upset but split up any serious altercations. I reckon ot will be tricky adding two hens to your one. Make sure she is ok. Give them two feeders and waterers to stop scraps over food and hang lots of cabbage etc to distract. It will settle down but probably take longer than you anticipate. Good luck though, i have a happy group of 10 now (added 5 to 5)

Polo

[FIREMAN627]

dead easy , i was told ,and it works, wait until your existing birds have gone to bed , then as quitely as posible ,one at a time put the new birds into the hen house, when they all wake up in the morning ( chickens being daft) they seem to think they must have been here all the time and just get on with the day, might just get a little chasing but no real attacks, hope all goes well. kevin.

[RichmondHens]

The existing hen will be at an advantage already as she knows the house and run set up, so adding a couple of extra should not be too tricky. Just try and get similar type/size/age birds as they will mix better. Then do as others suggest - introduce at night by popping new birds into house with existing and let them all out together in the morning. Put them all on a course of Flubenvet to worm them and check for lice.

I would normally quarantine new birds for a week or two to make sure they are not carrying anything but as you only have the one hen anyway she will be happier the sooner she gets a friend.

[country chic]

Thanks all, daisy now has two new companions, introduced them into the coup under the cover of darkness so they all got up in the morning together, they are a little younger but there have so far been no squibbing and the pecking order seems to have sorted itself out. Daisy seems to have relaxed again and is giving us an egg every other day. thanks again.

[Nicos]

Aww...fantastic news!!!!..thanks for letting us know that it's all going well!

[elizajay]

Good news!

[polo]

Good news! Long may it carry on.

[binley100]

Aw lovely news .........