Do you think there is any way I might get away with ....

[MrsMcGregor]

... Putting a single new POL hen in with a well-established flock of 3? If I popped her in at night, maybe? I'm so sick of no eggs! I can't be bothered with the whole hullabaloo of buying 2/3 new, keeping them separate etc - no time just now, hence my 'dare I just chuck one in' question!

Our girls are only 3 years old but this last two summers the Orpington and New Hampshire Red have pretty much given up laying. We had a fortnight in early spring when all 3 laid, since then I'm down to 5/6 eggs a week, none right now cos the hen who does lay is broody. Even the Orp who usually spends her summer broody, hasn't gone broody this year which makes me wonder whether her laying days are over? They free-range over half an acre and I have painstakingly searched for eggs in hedgerows, under shrubs but nothing to be found.

What does anyone think?

You could end up with a situation where the new hen is badly bullied. I would get 2 new ones if you really want a new hen(s.) Keep them apart for a while but where they can see each other before moving them all in together.

I thought that was the advice I would get because that's what I would say to anyone else ... Wishful thinking on my part, methinks! Might just wait until spring or wonder whether I could sneak a pair in without DH noticing!!

If it was me - I would pop her in at night - she will probably be fine! This is what we do here x

Do you have any or many problems Melissa? I will admit to having a look on a few poultry websites this afternoon and ringing one breeder - want to find someone close by rather than having to drive 30 miles.

We integrated our ducks to the chickens this way - chickens went into house then picked up ducks & popped them in - all best friends when they came out in the morning and now ducks follow the chickens in every night.

In the past have also done this with chickens - (have kept chickens now for 7 years) - never had any problems - possibly a little bit of pecking the next day but they are soon settled in. Xxx

Thanks Melissa - might just give it a go!

I sell chickens and am always suspicious of selling a single hen. I have done so in the past and they are often returned to me a few days later as the new owners are concerned about the amount of bullying going on. Just sayin.

Thanks Backinthebox - will keep that in mind and perhaps take a pair. The henhouse holds 6 so there is room for a few more!

I resent buying eggs with small, pale yolks when I have hens down the garden!

sorry I am with the rest of the advice. put in two together or there will be bullying. it is really horrible to see and obviously not fair on the hen that you put in. it isn't her fault and she cant escape from it either. don't do it with one really.

I won't put one in - promise! If I go ahead this side of winter or in the spring, it will be a pair. Have to think about breeds!

Pop 2 in at night, our warrens were the friendliest and best layers. We've had a range of other breeds, and when they actually laid the different colour eggs etc were lovely, but none were as friendly or as regular layers as our brown girls. Good luck.