Advice on Additional Hens

Hi Everyone,

I don't know where the last three + years have gone, but my three hens (Light Sussex, Calder Ranger, and a Black Rock) are done laying and have retired.  I want them to enjoy their retirement, but I also want eggs!  How many and what kind would you advise me to get to add to my old ladies?  I'm looking for a blood-free adjustment pecking order period here.  I'm not so keen on amount of eggs, I just want some!  Can't go back to the store bought ones - even free range. 

Hello

we only ever have max. of 3 birds at a time and quite simply as one goes to hen heaven another arrives  and we have so far had no problems whatsoever introducing newbies. We have always put them in after dark like Marygall has .

We have 2 youngsters that lay well so we didn't make or existing 2 into into 3 but hopefully we will soon be increasing to 3 or 4 depending on  what we hatch!

Our last hen 'in' was a Bluebell and she has really really grown on me (she was barn reared and a bit clueless on the chicken behavoir front to begin with) she is so beautiful, friendly and inquisitive and is a fab layer but she was bred that way as is a hybrid.

Good luck with your new hens whatever you choose

wood pigeons are different - mine nearly killed one last year, but they let the pheasants lurk about the edges of the garden.
I've never heard of talcum powder - maybe some red mite powder would kill two birds (perhaps not the most apt phrase to use) with one stone, but I think it will be all right if you just put them in the hen house after they've started roosting.
I used to keep them in a separate run for a fortnight till everybody got used to everybody else but I've found no real difference in just popping them all in the same hen house at night.

I have a second hen house not in use that is about six meters from the one is use.  I guess I could pop them in there.  That would mean two rounds of pecking order though. 

You are spot on with the pheasant.  We have one that visits every day and generally 'lurks'.  He handles the girls with kid glove care.  Doesn't trust them - and rightfully so.  Even up in Scotland hens do the same thing to Wood Pigeons.  Amazing!  It must just be the way they are.