Reintegration by supervised visits ?

[sunflour]

Wondering if anyone has had success with supervised visits to reintroduce a flock member rather than a physical barrier method?

Have searched the question, but couldn't find many who have tried this. Wonder if one tried this and all seems ok, would the flock behave until the human is absent?

 

[Mutt Farm]

Update: have had her in a very large metal dog crate in the run for one week, tried to let her out to mingle, and the 3 other Hens attacked her. Placed her back in the dog crate and plan to try again in another week.

IF you can, I suggest you let her out in the coop/run and lock the other 3 up. do that for a half day or so, you'll see when she has her bearings. Then let one other out with her, hopefully the most passive till they are ok. Maybe a day. Then let one more out...on and on. Couple feeders and waterers far apart, maybe some alfalfa leaves to munch...
I'm no expert, but that's the way I introudce the younger newbies, after barrier meet and greet, it's worked very well for me. Hope it works for you.

 

[Blooie]

They're just chatting about their day, gossiping about the silly humans who THINK they own them, and telling each other bedtime stories. I also think they're setting the watch - determining whose turn it is to stand guard and who messed up the job last time.

 

[sunflour]

Success !!!!!


Penny went without hesitation to the coop and mounted a roost at sundown yesterday.
I found it interesting that she took her exact old position without even a glance around. Lillie did try a jump to that roost to start some trouble, but misjudged the diagonal jump and landed on the floor

So she just jumped back up on the other roost in her normal position and no further interest. Then Tweedie came in and was pouty that Penny was now in her favorite spot - she pecked her several times, shoved her sideways, then gave up and let her stay right next to her. Penny was a brave little gal and held her place but did some loud squawking even tho she was not getting hurt Road Runner came in last and just took her position without any interest except getting settled for the night.

I was really worried about the awakening and what that might bring, been up way too early with nerves. Ready for intervention, but none was needed. They all just came down from the coop and are doing the normal morning chicken things

and Penny is one of the flock again!


Thanks so much to all who gave this attention for your luck wishes, tips and encouragement.

 

[Blooie]

We did that with Scout, sunflour. He was the little roo chick that suffered frostbite on his toes when he was just a couple of weeks old and had to be brought it for treatment. We had him in the house for about 3 weeks, but we took him out regularly for "supervised" visits with the flock and watched him carefully. The first time we had to bring him in, he was less than 24 hours old but he'd gotten out from under Mama Agatha and when I found him he looked totally dead. I brought him in, set up the brooder, and warmed him. Within a couple of hours we put him back under Agatha. She accepted him back and all was fine until he got his feet frozen at the waterer.

When we did the the supervised visits, we took him out to the run and set him down. The first couple of times, Agatha was glad to see him and took over where she left off, defending him, leading him to food, but she wouldn't cover him. We'd leave him out until he'd start picking up his feet and tucking them under him, then he came back in. We did this for a week or so - taking him out, daily,seeing that he was able to feed and drink, then leaving him alone with them mingling with the flock (with no help from Agatha). Once the Bigs had their curiosity satisfied and reminded him of his "boundaries" he was free to roam all over out there. Then we set his brooder up out in the coop with the door propped open just enough for him to get in and out. He was rarely in it, though. He was usually out in the run and the coop with all of the others. I do believe in supervised visits.

 

[sunflour]

Update: I have a hen removed from her flock for about a week, was just a little puny but now robust and ready to go back home. Tried supervised re-entry and she was attacked immediately with me and DH right there. She was not harmed, picked her up immediately. She's back in a safe place and will use the traditional see but cannot touch method.

So, got my answer. The gals will behave the same with or without human presence.

Just posting for anyone who may have the same question.

 

[sunflour]

Update: have had her in a very large metal dog crate in the run for one week, tried to let her out to mingle, and the 3 other Hens attacked her. Placed her back in the dog crate and plan to try again in another week.

 

[aart]

Another update:

Added an outdoor additional run area, let the 3 free hens out this afternoon. Opened Penny's "run cage", and let her come out on her own. Had 2 minor skirmishes between Penny and the lower 2 in the order - each was only 1 on 1 conflicts. Quite interesting that #1 Hen seemed to intervene in the 2 conflicts. Penny retreated to her cage after the second skirmish. At this point am more optimistic, planning to try this over and over until success.

Good head hens will intervene in squabbles between subordinates...just like a good rooster would.
Patient repetition of co-mingling can work...have done it with chick groups.

 

[sunflour]

sunflour, This update is fascinating to me. The low Lillie BO was the problem? Thank you so much for being so gracious in your reply to my suggestions. I shared my suggestions without looking to the left and realizing that this isn't your first rodeo. Me thinks I'm too "Talk-A-Lot on BYC. I'm an animal behaviorist/trainer by trade so I tend to take the clinical textbook approaches. I'm quite intrigued as to how this plays out. That said, A squirt bottle is my friend and a great training tool for me to discourage unwanted or aggressive behaviors . Thank you for posting the updates.

Thanks for your interest.

This is my first rodeo

. I think you mean by "looking to the left" you mean my "badges and title" ? You should explore the title meanings = number of posts. But the badges are quite an honor to receive. I joined Jan 2013 to access help with plans for coop building and raising my own flock. I started with 6 baby chicks March 2013 and have suffered no adversities until this year. Lost 1 BO in March and 1 BR while Penny was in sick bay. So, this is my first experience at reintegration and all input is greatly appreciated.

Honestly, didn't expect much attention to this thread. But have read all past threads and articles that I can find on reintegrating a recovered hen back to their flock and all seem to just stop without any comments on success or failures. Most resources on introduction apply to new chickens, multiple new ones, and require more space than us small flock owners have available. So decided to document this experience and once resolved, may do a member article about it.

You're an Animal Behaviorist/Trainer

. IMO animal behavior is fascinating. Would love to be able to train my hens, but instead they have me trained

.

Will get a water spray bottle ready - have used a tin of marbles early on to stop aggression. It works to stop conflicts, bit it effects all flock members. And a spirt of water should only get the bad gals attention. Thanks for the tip.

 

[aart]

It's all about territory and resources, they fight over roost space, feed and water...so multiples of those always help...and more overall space is good for getting away from an aggressor, hiding places 'out of line of sight' and/or up and away.