Anyone from Northern Ireland?

[nelsons brood]

Hi, we are going to be the proud owners of 4 hens in the next week or so. Their house is arriving this week and then we go looking for the new family. My daughter would like a chick but the rest if us would like ready layers. Can we mix? We need as much advice as we can get as we haven't a clue.

 

[boskelli1571]

Hello & welcome, have you posted in the where am I thread? you will doubtless find others close by you. As for mixing chicks with ready layers - don't do it. The 'big girls' will likely pick on the small one and kill it. If you do want chicks, please get more than one. When the time comes to integrate, it will be less stressful if you have more than 1 chick to be pecked at. The 'pecking order' initiation is not pretty, but it is normal behavior.
If you have the ability to wait for eggs, raising birds from chicks is the way to go imo. They are much friendly and will come to call if trained with treats etc. Also it's great fun watching them grow up

Good luck with your venture and don't forget to visit the learning center here....