What to do........???

[phelpcd1]

Ok, so I just got 2 hens 2 weekends ago. They have been a pretty tight pair and seem to have worked out who is top-chicken etc. I found out yesterday tho that my city (in the past month) has changed the ordinance to allow 4 hens now instead of just 2. I believe I can get 2 more pullets out of the same grouping that I got Thelma/Louise..........question is, should I? We built a pretty decent size coop/run (coop is 4x6, and total run space is 6x10) and I also let them out to roam in the yard some each day (altho yard is not very big, I have raised beds/deck everywhere). Is it safe/wise to bring in 2 more now?

I remember when I had 2 female dogs that were very tight and seemed to love each other, then I brought in a 3rd male dog. The 2 girls haven't been the same since - grouchy towards each other (and this has been years now). Don't have a clue if chickens have this type of thing, but i've read about the feather pecking etc.......I just don't want to introduce any issues, but it's only been 2 weeks so i'm betting it's now or never??? Advice needed?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I think because you could get them from the same source it is worth a try. Having 4 will reduce the likelihood that you will lose one and be left with a poor lone hen. Adding 2 at the same time will hopefully reduce the stress for the new comers. It sounds like you have plenty of room.

 

[artsy1]

Of course you should get 2 more..................chicken math................4 is much better then 2...........

 

[Blondiechic]

I read somewhere that chickens can recognise up to 150 (chicken) faces and that they will remember each other for a month if seperated - soooooo, if thats true your new two ought to fit in fine! But also, by getting two, worst case they will hang out in two groups for a little while and then all just meld... have four its much more fun!

 

[phelpcd1]

Thank you all..............I went ahead and picked up 2 more today. One more buff and 1 Americauna. Oddly enough, the newbies seem to be loners at the moment. Neither of them "fit in" and they aren't teaming up either. The Americauna seems very unsettled, nervous and just doesn't seem to know what to do...........i've also noticed her sneeze quite a few times. Haven't heard that before! Thelma and Louise at this point have shunned the newbies.......they both are tight and stay with each other and don't seem to want anything to do with the others. We shall see..............