some advice

[aldernay]

Hi am am new to all this. I said hello as a new member on the 6th June and got a lovely welcome.

Before I got my two hens I ordered a flat packed coop and run and put it up and was so distressed to see it was tiny (it was advertised as suitable for 6 hens, it barely fitted my two!) so have spent the last two weeks constructing a large enclosure from pallets and chicken wire. They are much happier now (Ethel and Tallulah).

My question is that I would like to get another hen to make the number three and would like to get a big hen - is there a problem with them mixing and could anyone suggest a breed?

I am really new to this and this site is brilliant but it is a bit overwhelming with its sheer size!

Im based in Co Wicklow in Ireland and Im guessing the breeds availabel may be a bit different than in the US?!

Thanks in advance

 

[Rainbow Dash]

Welcome!

Most chickens will mix together fine, but what breeds do you keep? Some breeds may be more aggressive to others. When you also get new chickens, be sure to quarantine them for a month to be sure that they to not have any dangerous diseases. Also, when the chickens are introduced, they will peck at each other. This is normal, they are only establishing their pecking order. Here's a link for more info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[aldernay]

Thank you for your reply. This sounds really ignorant of me but I have on RIR and a similar sized white girl. She is pure white, I have forgotten her breed in the excitment of getting them - I got a bit carried away. I had waited a long time to get them! I was thinking of a Jersey Giant?? But I dont know much about them or whether they mix.

 

[Rainbow Dash]

I'm thinking the white hen is a White Leghorn, but I could be wrong. Do you have any pictures, by chance?

 

[aldernay]

I do. I will have to work out how to up load them from my complicated camera!

I was just worried that a third large hen would upset the two girls I already have.....

 

[ranchhand]

Quarantine, not even shared air, for 30 days. Then put the new hen somewhere they can all interact and get aquainted, but not in actual contact. Sometimes it seems to take forever to get the introductions properly done! Best of luck!

 

[aldernay]

Thanks I will do as you suggest, sorry for another question though. I only want to have three hens and I already have two. Should I get another two so that the new one doesnt have to stay alone for a month? Would she not be very lonely for a month on her own?

 

[Rainbow Dash]

She probably will be. If you only want a few hens though, that's okay too.

A new hen will always disrupt an established flock, there is no avoiding it. Check out the link below for more info on this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[kano]

Better two...so the novelty for the new arrivals is diluted.