Backyard Poultry Forum

Hi all, I brought my first chickens home today and my family and I are super excited! I had chickens growing up but haven't had anything to do with chickens for about 30 years so am thrilled to have my own girls. I had planned to buy 3 point of lay bantams but ended up with a silky and a Peking. My question is this: the girls seemed a little 'lost' and lonely when we got them home. The Peking (Elaine) is younger and keeps trying to hide under my Silky (Estelle), so I'm considering going back tomorrow to get a 3rd chicken. Good idea? Or might a 3rd hen 24 hours later cause more disruption than good and should I just stick with the 2 lovely ladies I have?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I just want my babies to be happy!

I think three is a better number than 2. I think they will all still be feeling quite 'lost' tomorrow and I doubt a new one will upset the social order too much at this stage. But I would get a chook the same sort of size and the same sort of ages as the two you have. They are both point of lay or younger you say? So if you get another, get it no older than the oldest one you have.

Good luck!

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NellyG ........................

Thank you so much NellyG, that's kind of what I thought so it's nice to hear it from someone else

Hi Fluerty and welcome to BYP.
What Nellie said.
You have chosen 2 very pretty, family friendly breeds. How old are they? The Pekin may still want to be mothered and if the Silky is OK with that let them be. They will bond well. I would get a third bird but only if you can do so ASAP. You have 2 broody breeds and if one is allowed to sit or ever has to be isolated, the other one will be a lonely only.
They will soon settle in. Don't rush them, they may want to hide in their house for a few days before they are confident enough to venture far.

Thanks, that's great advice. The breeders said my Silky will be ready to lay in :-4 weeks but the Peking not for another 3 months so they are quite different in age. I think I'll get another Silky around the same size and age as the girl I have rather than another younger hen. Now I just have to convince my husband to drive back out there tomorrow which is just over an hour round trip!

Where are you from, someone on here might be closer or know of someone closer. But 1 hr round trip isn't to far. I agree 3 would be better.

Welcome back to chooks!

3 is the way to go, as everyone has said.

I'm sure your new girls will settle in. Hope you really enjoy them

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Cheerio, Rach
Blue Swedish Ducks

Thanks for all of your advice. I live in Brisbane and got my chickens from heritage hatchlings and hens at Richlands. My hubby and I made the trip a couple of days ago and ended up with a bantam Belgium I think she is? She's bonded with them really well and they all seem much happier now they are a little brood. Thanks again for the great advice and for welcoming me to the site. It's lovely to have access to knowledgable, friendly, chicken enthusiasts! I look forward to chatting with you again.

That's great to hear

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Cheerio, Rach
Blue Swedish Ducks