[whitby_sam]

As some of you may know we have 7 gorgeous Maran girls and 2 stunning Maran Cockerills.

While out shopping this afternoon I spotted an advert for

Approx 30 Brown Hens

£x each

So after making a call I headed down to a local allotment to get myself some more chickens.

The owner told me they were moulting but on closer inspection I think they've been bored and not very well looked after and have pecked eachother leaving them with large bald patches.

After a good few minutes of chasing and sliding around on the stinky mud in their pen I'd bagged 15 birds and headed home.

I gave them a large bowl of water and a large bowl of food and within minutes they'd got through it and wanted some more. These birds had obviously not eaten (or not eaten enough) for a while. The guy seemed genuine and told me he simply didn't have time to give them the attention they needed so well done to him for doing something about it.

I feel good that I can provide a good home for these 15 birds but I can't help wishing that I could've "saved" them all. Still, half of them now have lots of land to roam around, plenty of good food and clean water, nice cosy living quarters, a mad collie and an Old English Dumbass to keep the foxes away.

Any tips on whether my Marans will take to them OK or are there going to be problems? Should I just let the cockerills sort them out?

[doganjo]

Put them to bed together at night and in the morning they'll all think they've always been together - especially if there is plenty of food to keep them busy.  Well done you for rescuing these birds. Perhaps you have friends nearby who could take the rest?

[whitby_sam]

At the moment they're in separate runs at night and the new girls will be kept in while the marans roam during the day for atleast the first week. After that I'll let them decide whether they want to sleep in the temp run or in the main shed with the Marans.

The only contact they'll have for the first week will be through the mesh but by the end of that week they should be aware of eachother and there should be no issues.

Forgot to mention that the new girls have had poultry spice vitamins and wormer added to their food. I also intend to use up a couple of bags of growers pellets I have spare (now that the marans are laying and are on a 50/50 mix of layers and poultry corn). I hope this will provide them with extra nutrients and help them to regain weight and condition... Is this how these things work?

[doganjo]

Sounds all OK to me. Well done.

[Rosemary]

Lucky hens, indeed!

[whitby_sam]

Some of the new girls seem to be sneezing (or maybe its just my imagination) Should I be worried?

[doganjo]

Hmmm, they may have something - I would isolate them for a bit longer.  Although if their run is close to the others then it may be too late.  Just keep an eye on them, and be ready to get stuff from the vet if need be