[ANHBUC]

Best to keep them apart for 3 weeks but if they can see each other that will help.  I try to let them out freeranging for their first introductions so it is neutral territory.  Then put the newbies in the coop once your first chooks have gone to bed.  Make sure they all have plenty to do their first day together.  Best to have 3 feeders and 3 drinkers spaced out.  Scatter some bird seed on the ground to keep them occupied.  Have somewhere for the new girls to hide like a large plastic container laid on its side. 

My coop is in the middle of their enclosure which gives the lowest in the pecking order somewhere to run without getting cornered.  My hens reacted like that when they first encountered my cat but they don't bat an eyelid when they see her now.  Different story when a strange black tom cat strolled through the garden last week.  No where near their enclosure but I thought there was a fox the commotion they made.  They continued to squawk for about 3 minutes after it left the garden. 

[Goldfinger]

Well, they're all together now.....



Just need to sort the (new) pecking order now......

Just one problem... They haven't been handled (cuddled?) much, they're quite flighty and shy. Guess we'll have to work on that..... 

[ANHBUC]

They are looking lovely.

I bought 2 Partridge Wyandotte Bantams at the beginning of the year from a farm so they haven't been handled.  Then they went broody and I put them both on eggs.  One hatched 6 and the other 5 which is great for my first attempt.  The problem is the chicks are being taught by their Mums so to catch them is impossible at the moment.

As they grow and don't depend on Mum as much I will spend time hand feeding them.  When I do it now Mum snatches it off me then clucks to let the chicks know she has found something tasty!   

[Goldfinger]

So I need to learn chook speak? Tell them 'tasty stuff's over here!'   

[ANHBUC]

Yes and hold meal worms in your mouth for them to take!   :blink:   

[Goldfinger]

Yes and hold meal worms in your mouth for them to take!   :blink:   

Now there's a challenge......