safety in numbers

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southcroft

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safety in numbers
« on: August 27, 2015, 09:04 »
Hi. I am about to start keeping a few hens in garden could you please advise if it is better to keep 4 rather than 3 to
avoid bullying. Thank you.

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Re: safety in numbers
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2015, 09:49 »
Hi Southcroft and welcome  :)

Neither option are a guarantee of no bullying,  but if you go for 4, it is less likely a gang of 3 will share the top hen position and pick on a single hen.  2 against 1 can happen a bit more often.

Having said that, if you already have your set-up and it houses 3 birds, then go with that, rather than cram an extra bird into a coop and run that are too small.  Overcrowding is stressful for the hens and can act as a trigger for bullying.

Providing dustbath areas, greens to peck, logs or branches to sit on and having a run floor that allows scratching around are all good anti-bullying precautions and make the hens very happy to boot  :)

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southcroft

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Re: safety in numbers
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2015, 10:49 »
Thanks for help have got 4-6 bird coop with run & access to garden so I will go for 4.

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Re: safety in numbers
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2015, 12:24 »
That sounds like a plan  :)  Come back and let us know how you get on.  There's always lots of advice and help offered on here  :)


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southcroft

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Re: safety in numbers
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2015, 09:56 »
Hi
I picked up 4 hens early sept H&Ns all doing very well and looking great started laying a few eggs after a couple of weeks increasing to 4 a day has now reduced to 3 a day probably due to light levels as winter approaches. Have moved coop into 3 x2 mtr poly tunnel for winter  the hens have a free run in this they love it.
best regards.
southcroft.

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Re: safety in numbers
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2015, 10:17 »
Glad to hear its all going well  :)


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