Moving hens

[Lisasbolt]

Thats wonderful, really happy. It was a crazy idea but really glad it worked

[Verinda]

Last week sadly our ancient (six or seven year old) guinea pig died. I think I mentioned her hutch was in the hen run and she was company for Alice. It really affected Alice, she stopped clucking and made sad moaning sounds, she stopped eating and became quite lethargic and uninterested and did not want to go back in her run at the usual time.

We've been making a big fuss of her and now she's right back to normal. It seems she was grieving, does that sound unbelievable? On the other hand, why not? She's not stupid plus she's all alone now apart from her stuffed owl. I am contemplating getting a couple of new hens but don't want to upset her, or perhaps one hen and introduce them gradually, I wonder if that would be ok.

[elizajay]

Why don't you think about getting a couple of chicks so they aren't a threat to her. May give her a new lease of life.

[Lisasbolt]

So sorry V i lost one of mine on friday and the three last old gals really have been off it since, they have spent the last three + years together, it is only normal.

You know that is exactly what i would do as well get a couple of young hens maybe 6-10 weeks old, she will soon show them she is boss but keep the top owl

[Verinda]

Ah so sorry to hear that Lisa it really is so sad to loose one of a gang, for them and for you.

I probably wouldn't get chicks, but I have decided to get maybe one or two new young hens, I found a great place online that isn't too far from us and sells all sorts of free range breeds, we are going on Wednesday. When she gets used to them I may get another one or two.

I have a small portable hen house so I'll keep them separate from Alice for a while, I'm going to fence off half her run so they can get to know each other through the wire. Mind you she has adapted to life on her own and seems really happy and back to her old self, I won't move the owl though, she still cuddles up to him every night She is free range most of the day but I would probably leave the new hens in the run to start with.

[Scarlet]

Good plan Verinda. You need a new little flock and having a seperate run will let them see each other and should give her some company. Don't forget the pics

[Verinda]

I am so looking forward to getting two new hens and its a great looking place Welcome to Rainbow Free Range Poultry, Home of Free Range Poultry in Ireland it's longish car journey as no one round here seems to sell hens.

I hope Alice will be ok, she seems remarkably happy on her own now.

Apparently its ok to get two different breeds, they don't mind! I'd like one that lays dark brown eggs and one that lays light brown. Alice hasn't laid any eggs for ages now. I will take pics

[Verinda]

Well I have two new young hens, a blackrock and a bluebell, they are beautiful but wild as anything, terrified of me and raised in a barn so know nothing about the outside world or going in at night. The lady assured me they'd be fine with Alice and no point in keeping them separate, I foolishly believed her, I'd no idea they were like wild things from the jungle.

Of course they launched into poor Alice then took possession of the hen house, when I got them out the cat arrived darting about, causing total hysteria. It took three of us to corner them, one at a time, get them into the box and secure the fence across the middle of the hen run.

Last night we chased them round the hen run in the dark they refused to go in the box by themselves and they flew over the temporary fence so we took it down, my husband caught one and put her in the hen house, instead of the box so that's where the other one ended up too.

This morning it was more peaceful and they seem respectful of Alice, hopefully all will be well. The grey one is Mabel and the black and gold one is Desdemona. Is it always like this with new hens? Or are we doing everything wrong. My exbatts were so peaceful and friendly.

[frias]

Sounds perfectly normal to me!

[Verinda]

My two new hens Mabel and Desdemona settling in well now.

[Lisasbolt]

pretty girls, my news ones were the same, so skittish and did everything to get away from me. I have found that daily treats have brought them running to me and they are very happy to see me every day, but still do not come to sit on my knee. Maybe in time.

Keep us up to date., all i can think is poor Alice she will love it soon

[Verinda]

Thank you Lisa

Same here, they also come running hoping for a few sunflower seeds and already far less afraid of me. My exbatt's were much friendlier though. Alice has settled in with the new girls. At first I was letting her out and leaving the other two in the run but then realised it was better to leave her in so they can get to know each other. I'm going to get a couple more soon.

Next week I am going to let them out free range but I am beside myself worrying they'll disappear as we've a rambling site, I hope they won't just vanish into the undergrowth and never come back, but if I want them free range I will just have to do it.

[Verinda]

Just an update, I got two more hens, Dotty and Daisy now there are five hens and Alice is amazing, whizzing about like a youngster and gobbling food like there's no tomorrow.

I just haven't let them out yet, I am worried they'll run off and get lost, but my more sensible side tells me that just isn't going to happen...I hope. I'm planning to let them out for a while tomorrow.

[Lisasbolt]

Good for you Verinda, i might sneak a few more this week, i am determined to have 12 hens i do not know why.

[Snoop Puss]

I bet Alice is glad of the company. And letting them free range is a good idea. Alice knows where everything is in the 'outdoor' world and what to be nervous of and what not. They'll be looking to her for guidance, so she'll be top hen as far as they're concerned for a bit at least.