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Introducing one hen to an established group

post #1 of 4
6/15/12 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 

I am passively searching for another d'uccle. I just love the one that I have, though she hasn't exactly warmed up to me unless I am throwing bread, and even then she keeps her distance. Anyway, I would like to get another one, but I don't have the time/money to incubate my own eggs, so I am looking at adult hens only.

 

Is it "safe" to introduce just one hen to an already established group of two? Any suggestions? When I introduce my d'uccle to my buff orp it was incredibly easy. The buff orp just kind of wants to protect the d'uccle, and the d'uccle seems to enjoy the security of the bigger bird.

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post #2 of 4
6/16/12 at 9:30am

Sneak it in at night time.

"What are the two things people tell you are healthiest to eat, chicken and fish, combine them and eat a penquin."

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"What are the two things people tell you are healthiest to eat, chicken and fish, combine them and eat a penquin."

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post #3 of 4
6/17/12 at 9:13am

The safest way is to bring in the new bird and keep it on the other side of a fence for quite sometime so that everybody sees everybody. No body touches each other and can work out aggressions from behind a fence. After a few weeks and mixing day comes, there is usually less fighting going on, as much of it has already happened. 

 

You could try to mix the new comer at first. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. Just keep a close eye on everybody at first and even days later after you have done any mixing of new birds. 

Of all the things I have ever lost, I miss my mind the most. 

Keep one eye on the past, one eye on the future and both eyes on the present. ~ a Raven ~

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Of all the things I have ever lost, I miss my mind the most. 

Keep one eye on the past, one eye on the future and both eyes on the present. ~ a Raven ~

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post #4 of 4
6/18/12 at 9:39am
I would separate the two bonded hens, put the most dominent separate...put the new hen in at night with the least dominent....se how they do, if all goes well, try putting the leader back in at night. Chickens like company so maybe they'll be happy.
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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying › Introducing one hen to an established group