We're building a 2nd chicken run today , to get Dopey out of her rabbit hutch! So when the run is done, I'll get a couple of little friends for her - I thought a White Star and a Bluebelle. What is my best plan for introducing them? I had a couple of thoughts;
Keep Dopey in the rabbit hutch, in sight of the run for a few days, then introduce at dusk, keep an eye on them the next day.
OR
Put them all in at dusk and hope for the best, be there in the morning to break up any battles!!!
The 1st approach would seem to be a more cautious approach, but given that Dopey was bottom of the pecking order in her old hutch (with 3 others), would putting 2 newbies in allow them to 'colonise' the new hutch and then not accept her? In which case, the 2nd approach could be better (given that they are all 'new' to the house, and it is 1 older hen against 2 new younger hens - who aren't bonded as a pair yet?). I can't decide what is best to do!!! I'm inclining for number 2, especially as I have a back up plan, which is if the 2 new ones prove to be evil like the others, then they can chance their luck in the other run, and Honey, my other Goldline can come in with Dopey. (This is one reason why I want to get 2, so that I have the flexibility to do that if necessary - putting one in with evil Black Rock would NOT be good - if this proved to be the best option, then I would put the other run in sight of the old one for a bit, and take it more slowly, but ideally I'd like the newbies in with Dopey, and am hoping she could be Queen Chicken for a bit )
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2 replies
tortoiseSHELL · 28/06/2008 10:01
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