.....we're horizontal!!!
No, really.....just wanted to report on my new hens and how I did the integration.
Basically got 2 new ones yesterday that are 6 months and popped them in the small coop for the day. They both laid. The other birds freerange and had a good nose about and the odd peck at the wire but didn't seem too bothered.
Put the new ones in the main coop after dark and let them all out quite late this morning. They were burbling away gently in the coop. The older ones started going for them in the run so let them all out to freerange. The occasional skirmish but nothing like the blood letting when I got the last two.
The new girls laid in the main coop ok (thought they might get confused) and they've all gone in together tonight with the new ones last in. A lovely little flock!
Now....are we all laid back because I recently introduced the other two and they're used to it or is it because I bought twins for the two old girls and they have an affinity? The old ones are definitely unruffled and the more recent pair are the ones being aggressive. Trying to hang on to their pecking order position whereas the old ones don't care.....?
Whatever, I'm awash with eggs because the two oldest girls who haven't been laying at all (reason for new ones) both laid, the new ones laid and of the nearly new ones, one laid and one's STILL broody.
So 5 eggs from 6 girls and everybody seems to have slotted into the pecking order in 24 hours with very little fuss and we're all very happy. Especially the broody who has lots of eggs to sit on!!
Sigh of relief....