[Cluckleberry]

Hello there!

Thank you for your replies with my previous post (My Girlies Wont Lay).

As I mentioned in that post, I have 5 Welsummer Bantams. However, I am thinking of getting 4 or 5 other hens to go with them, but from a larger, standard breed.

This is because:
1) I like keeping chooks     2) More (bigger) eggs.  

The henhouse should be big enough, as when the banties roost they only take up about a quarter of the perching space. There is also plenty of room in the run.

Can you give me any advice please on the do's and don'ts of introducing some more chooks to the girls?

BTW - This is a brilliant, friendly site for newbies! That really does help when one is a Chicken 'numpty'!

Many thanks!

[Foxy]

Hi Cluckleberry,
Seems like you have caught the bug - they are so addictive and yoiu never seem to have enough! :shock:
Firstly in answer to your question, ideally if you can have the newbies in a an area where they can see each other but not be able to fight that can help.This also is a good quarantine period. Just divide the run with chicken wire if you have the space. Always introduce at night - chickens never squabble at night. If it is not practical to separate them during the day ensure a spare feeder and drinker this will help reduce bullying and try to give them as much room as possible. Finally give them a good dusting with mite powder before introducing them. You will have an amount of bickering but this is normal - just watch out and separate ASAP if any blood is drawn. Hope this helps!