Thanks ... I think I agree. When the time comes, I think we'll try letting everyone free range in the yard and see how they get along. If all goes well ... out to the coop with Penny!!
Things are moving along ... Penny is showing interest and possibly calming down. Just one last question, are the pullets big enough to be put in with a full size hen or should I let them mature a little more (they seem so small). I think it will be ok, but don't want the new girls to get hurt...
The "Newbies". Buffy (not very original, but it works) the Buff Orpington, and Zoey the Ameraucana.
A little better shot of Zoey
Penny being a "poop" in her chicken condo
Today is day 2 and I think we made progress. As I was sitting on a chair outside the coop, Penny wandered over into...
Thanks for the support! We'll see how things go ... really really need to get Penny OUT OF THE HOUSE! Been thinking about going back to get a 3rd pullet for the OUTDOOR flock, just in case Penny doesn't come around. Probably jumping the gun.
Will try to be patient
Update ... we came home with 2 cute little pullets on Sunday. One is an Ameraucana, the other a Buff Orpington. We have them quarantined in the coop/run over in the garden. I estimate they are around 4 or 5 months old.
Penny can hear them (and I think she's seen them), but seems to have no...
Will do ... the ranch confirmed that they have Wyandottes, Americaunas and Orpingtons. I thought these might be good choices since they seem to be calm and don't mature too quickly. But who knows ... everything might go out the window when we get there and see "the One" or "Two" perfect little...
Found someone nearby in Norco who raises about 25 different breeds and has a large selection of young heritage breed pullets. Hubby and I will be going out to his ranch on Sunday to take a look. Hopefully we'll come home with a couple new cuties .
Wish us well
I think we'll set up a quarantine area just to be safe. Even though I only have 1 bird, we kid that she's "Penny the Wonder Chicken" and I'd hate to have anything happen to her. We believe she's not really a chicken, but an alien disguised in a chicken suit. My husband swears he's seen her...
Thanks so much for all the input. I've been reading up on biosecurity and there's a lot to consider before adding to your flock. Gives me a lot to think about ... won't rush into anything until we're ready to set up a proper quarantine.
Penny's been alone for awhile now and it won't hurt her...
Thank you for the input. Penny is a small bird, not a bantam, but on the thin side. I think you make a good point about adding 2 more birds -- I'm just afraid they will all learn to use the dog door and then I'll have THREE birds in the house!! I was thinking Americana and Maran, or Barred...
We lost one of our girls to internal laying a few months ago, leaving Penny an "only child". Penny is a RIR and is approximately 2 years old. Penny has a great personality, but is a dominant hen.
We brought her in the house to be a house chicken since she was apparently very lonely, but it...