[burgerboy]

Hello to all i am a novice chicken keeper and in need of some expert advice. I have three bantem hens which have been together from hatching. I have had them a week and a half They are kept in an 8ft square 6ft high avairy with hen house and will have the run of the garden when they have settled a bit. The problem is we tried to add another hen this afternoon (a blue lacewing bantem) and there has been some fairly nasty arguing no injuries but is this normal???

[Aunt Sally]

Absolutly normal.  It's what chickens do. 

Keep them separated but so that the new girl can see and be seen by the others.  You might be able to pop them in together to roost but will probably need to separate the again at first light.   In my experience introductions can take up to about 3 weeks.  Quite variable though.

[Foxy]

I am afraid this is normal. I would pop them together over night, (chickens roosting rarely fight)then in the mornng put the new hen in a segregated part of the run - just pop a chicken wire partition up-so they can see each other but not fight, it will probably take a few weeks mind before they are living happily together! Good luck, a lot of patience is needed when merging hens together I'm afraid!

[Foxy]

oh Auntie you are quick!!! (have you been oiled recently? )

[Aunt Sally]

You mean you didn't hear the creaky joints 

[Foxy]

 

oh welcome to the mad house oops henhouse burgerboy!