[milothepeanut]

We have (did have) six chuks in our garden. Two starlight, two nevas and two cookoos (I think thats the correct spellings). Yesterday three went missing (one of each type). There was no evidence of any fox activity and no signs of a struggle. The loss has been listed as a theft by our local police. Annoyed ? ..................your not kidding.

Is it possable to introduce three new hens to my "flock" ?

Help please

[Aunt Sally]

Rotten devils  :evil:   At least they didn't take them all.  I know someone who had her eglu, run and 4 hens taken from her garden during the night,  makes you feel really bad when that kind of thing happens.  

You can introduce more hens to you diminished flock but it has to be done slowly as they will fight viciously.  Keep them separated but in close sight of each other to begin with allowing them to sleep in the same accommodation but separating them at first light.  

After a while, and only you will be able to judge how long, you will be able to let them be together during the day.  It just depends on how much space they have to roam and how territorial the old girls are.  

It can be a good idea to allow the newbies to have the 'home run and the old girls to be excluded.  That way when the are mixed the new girls have a right to the run and the old girls are the incomers...

... chicken psychology    :roll:   Let us know how you get on  

[WG.]

Bad luck MP.  At least folks on here are friendly. Welcome to the forum.

[milothepeanut]

Thanks.
They are allowed to roam freely and have a large area to do so. We will give it a go.

[Aunt Sally]

They are allowed to roam freely and have a large area to do so. We will give it a go.

Jolly good  :!:  Plenty of space to 'get away'.  Make sure there are plenty of food and water stations as that is where you could get problems.  

[Sam K.]

Chicken rustlers  :evil:

Why not see if one of your hens goes broody and get some eggs?

Loads of fun.

We can get fertilised eggs from the local N Trust Home Farm. They specialise in rare breeds so you feel you are doing your bit for keeping them going.

Bit of a lottery with the Hen/Cock ratio though.  

[milothepeanut]

Nice thought with the eggs but ,sods law, they took our only broody hen.
Someone up there must love me.LOL.