The Poultry Keeper

Christine · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 60 Location: somerset

we have a discrepancy, my partner says I should force my 2 new girls downstairs from the eglu cube to mix with the others, I say not to, they will go in their own time. They are roosting with the others at night time, but have yet to socialise and eat with them, and as we only got them on Sunday, and they are young, they are understandably timid, (or scared).

I want to do whats best for the girls, youngsters and the old hens, and any advice as to whats the best route would be appreciated.

It's quite upsetting to see them huddled in a corner, I'd rather them stay with each other till they have a bit more courage.

Christine

CP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:35 am Post subject:

I would let them mix in their own time. There's no point stressing them all out by trying to force the issue.

Food is a good way of breaking the ice though just make sure they all have access with no one hogging it & bullying the youngsters away. Wink

Patience is a virtue, as they say! Wink

NannyP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

Yes, let them do it in their own time Very Happy

Christine · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 60 Location: somerset

Thanks to both of you, I'm desperate for them all to mix, and very keen to stop any trouble, so much so that I have taken 5 days off work to watch them, I hope they will be OK by monday, have to get back to work for then., should be better by then?

CP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

How young are the new birds? If they're POL then it shouldn't take too long but if they're really young then they have to 'grow up' a bit as well.
At least that's how ours seem to sort themselves out. Rolling Eyes

It helps that they sleep together already though. Wink

Christine · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 60 Location: somerset

hi, we wanted girls at POL, but I think they are more like 11 weeks old, the light sussex is bigger now than all the other girls, but she has that very gawky stance of a young girl, the dorking is about the same age I think. Their combs, despite showing signs of developing are very very pale, almost white, I put this down to their age, and also the fact that they had'nt seen any daylight till we bought them.
I think they seem a wee bit more settled today, I was worried about them not drinking, but one bowl of water has dissappeared , and they are very fond of grapes and cucumber, I ws thinking of sneaky ways to get fluids in them. They're not as nervous about the other girls coming up to lay, I'm just a bit worried about when I have to go back to work next week, don't want anyone upset or hurt!

Thanks all of you for your valuable advice.