SpinningJenny
Chirping
- Apr 6, 2016
- 127
- 50
- 96
Hey BYC coop mind: I've been reading up on introducing chickens to a flock, and there's a lot of good info here but I have a concern since I'll be introducing 5 young ladies to our one older hen in the coop right now. She came to us as a rescue situation and is about 4 years old, we think.
Henrietta has been the only chicken for a year now, and she's got a good even temperament. While she free ranges in the yard, I've been keeping the 3-week old chicks in the run of her coop during the day where she can see and interact with them but no one is able to touch each other. So, they're being introduced slowly by sight, as is recommended.
This morning two of the young ones got out of the "transport bucket" and hopped into the coop with her. She stood VERY STILL and watched them and let them poke at her a minute before I shooed them into the run and closed it off. I was worried she might do something, but she seemed watchful, not aggressive. Good sign?
What should I do when they are old enough to be in the same coop together, since I'm essentially unleashing a new flock on her territory and not the other way around? I'm afraid SHE will get ganged up on by the five who are very close.
Any tips on this unconventional situation would be appreciated!
Henrietta has been the only chicken for a year now, and she's got a good even temperament. While she free ranges in the yard, I've been keeping the 3-week old chicks in the run of her coop during the day where she can see and interact with them but no one is able to touch each other. So, they're being introduced slowly by sight, as is recommended.
This morning two of the young ones got out of the "transport bucket" and hopped into the coop with her. She stood VERY STILL and watched them and let them poke at her a minute before I shooed them into the run and closed it off. I was worried she might do something, but she seemed watchful, not aggressive. Good sign?
What should I do when they are old enough to be in the same coop together, since I'm essentially unleashing a new flock on her territory and not the other way around? I'm afraid SHE will get ganged up on by the five who are very close.
Any tips on this unconventional situation would be appreciated!