I just wanted to provide an update on how the new hen integration is going. I’m pleased to report that our flock is back to (almost) normal. The new hen still gets chased around a bit from the two RIR, but she has made friends with a few other gals. She now roosts immediately in the evening with the flock, instead of milling around outside till dark when she could sneak in to roost. She is, and may always be, lowest in the pecking order and last to get special treats.
I’m happy to say that she never got too bullied, but regret saying that we had some feather picking over Christmas resulting in a naked neck on one of my Easter-eggers. I determined it was a combination of stress from the new girl, boredom with the winter and a possible protein deficiency. I made a few adjustments, including a higher protein feed, a flock-block and a few new features in the run, and things seem to be improving.
The only downfall is egg production is down since we’ve cut the supplemental light. We had a light set to come on early in the morning, but I didn’t want the new gal trapped in the coop for several hours before I was able to open the pop door. I think it might be good though to give the girls a break from laying regularly. I’m sure we’ll be back in full production in the spring.
I have to say that introducing a single hen was stressful (and I likely won't try it again), but ended up working for us because she is a big bird and seems she was fairly dominant in her old flock. If the timing had worked out I think it would have worked better to give her a friend and integrate her as a pair. She is a white Brahma and our only other white bird (an Easter-egger) seems especially fond of her. However, with the cold snap we had in early December and being gone for almost a week at Christmas, it just didn’t work that way. But the flock seems harmonious once again!
Thanks for all your help!
I’m happy to say that she never got too bullied, but regret saying that we had some feather picking over Christmas resulting in a naked neck on one of my Easter-eggers. I determined it was a combination of stress from the new girl, boredom with the winter and a possible protein deficiency. I made a few adjustments, including a higher protein feed, a flock-block and a few new features in the run, and things seem to be improving.
The only downfall is egg production is down since we’ve cut the supplemental light. We had a light set to come on early in the morning, but I didn’t want the new gal trapped in the coop for several hours before I was able to open the pop door. I think it might be good though to give the girls a break from laying regularly. I’m sure we’ll be back in full production in the spring.
I have to say that introducing a single hen was stressful (and I likely won't try it again), but ended up working for us because she is a big bird and seems she was fairly dominant in her old flock. If the timing had worked out I think it would have worked better to give her a friend and integrate her as a pair. She is a white Brahma and our only other white bird (an Easter-egger) seems especially fond of her. However, with the cold snap we had in early December and being gone for almost a week at Christmas, it just didn’t work that way. But the flock seems harmonious once again!
Thanks for all your help!