- May 12, 2008
- 12
- 0
- 22
Hello,
I'm trying to make a new plan... We recently lost two hens (sob) and decided to add two to our small flock of friendly girlz (5 1/2 months old, one EE, 2 RIR). The two new ones are 4 months old and very sweet, a Barred Rock and a Black Australorp. We got them in the evening so they spent the night in a cage that I used as a brooder -not big enough to spend much time in. I divided the run in two (I thought) and added food and water so the old and new hens each had their own set. I felt this plan seemed pretty good though I was a bit startled by the hostility my girlz were sending even through the fence. I've been reading about all this on this forum, so I don't know why I'm so surprised. I had to go out with my kids and when we returned a few hours later, it was pretty crazy in there. They managed to tear the netting I attached to a fence that was already there. The new girlz were in the henhouse -one in the nest box hiding, and the big girlz were definitely bullying them. I let the big girlz out to roam the yard and the new girls are happy in the closed in run for now. But the clock is ticking and I have to figure out a plan for the night and the future, since my divided run was such a disaster. I wish a could borrow a big dog crate as others have done. But I fear that this first bad encounter will make the process harder and longer.
Any suggestions? I'm trying to stay calm and methodical, and not flip out.
If we work at this for a few weeks might they ever get along?
THANKS!
I'm trying to make a new plan... We recently lost two hens (sob) and decided to add two to our small flock of friendly girlz (5 1/2 months old, one EE, 2 RIR). The two new ones are 4 months old and very sweet, a Barred Rock and a Black Australorp. We got them in the evening so they spent the night in a cage that I used as a brooder -not big enough to spend much time in. I divided the run in two (I thought) and added food and water so the old and new hens each had their own set. I felt this plan seemed pretty good though I was a bit startled by the hostility my girlz were sending even through the fence. I've been reading about all this on this forum, so I don't know why I'm so surprised. I had to go out with my kids and when we returned a few hours later, it was pretty crazy in there. They managed to tear the netting I attached to a fence that was already there. The new girlz were in the henhouse -one in the nest box hiding, and the big girlz were definitely bullying them. I let the big girlz out to roam the yard and the new girls are happy in the closed in run for now. But the clock is ticking and I have to figure out a plan for the night and the future, since my divided run was such a disaster. I wish a could borrow a big dog crate as others have done. But I fear that this first bad encounter will make the process harder and longer.
Any suggestions? I'm trying to stay calm and methodical, and not flip out.
If we work at this for a few weeks might they ever get along?
THANKS!