So yesterday, my mom made me trade in one of my beloved roosters for 2 laying hens. As heartbroken as I was to part with him, I figured it would be best since we have another roo at home and our other hen needs some girly-company.
Well, the chickens we have, had been raised by us since they were each a week old; they are use to being handled, are very comfortable around people, and even come when their names are called; however, these two new hens are more skittish and very wary. I know they need time settling in, so I try not to overwhelm them by forcing them to be instant cuddle-bugs.
HERE'S THE PROBLEM....
My mom decided to let the chicken out of their coop/run out into our backyard for while (like we normally do). I told her not to let the new ones out because they are not yet familiar with our yard and us, let alone with the other chickens....no, she let them out anyways and right away there was a parting between our chickens and the new hens.... I managed to grab one and put her back in the run, but as I was getting the other one....someone let my dog out, and sure enough (being a puppy) she chased the hen into the thicket/brush that divides my neighbor's yard and part of ours. I don't know where "Penny" went. I saw where she disappeared into, but other than that, she's gone. I tried looking for her but gave up because I don't want to scare her anymore. What makes this worse....is that my other hen prefers her sister as a buddy, so this one is also the "social" outcast for the time being (low on the pecking order).
I know chickens are flock animals and prefer to stay near each other - will Penny [most likely] come back once she's calm down (I still have her sister)? I'm worried that she being new hasn't thought of the coop as home yet...
Any help and advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
Thanks in advance - wish me tons of luck.
Well, the chickens we have, had been raised by us since they were each a week old; they are use to being handled, are very comfortable around people, and even come when their names are called; however, these two new hens are more skittish and very wary. I know they need time settling in, so I try not to overwhelm them by forcing them to be instant cuddle-bugs.
HERE'S THE PROBLEM....
My mom decided to let the chicken out of their coop/run out into our backyard for while (like we normally do). I told her not to let the new ones out because they are not yet familiar with our yard and us, let alone with the other chickens....no, she let them out anyways and right away there was a parting between our chickens and the new hens.... I managed to grab one and put her back in the run, but as I was getting the other one....someone let my dog out, and sure enough (being a puppy) she chased the hen into the thicket/brush that divides my neighbor's yard and part of ours. I don't know where "Penny" went. I saw where she disappeared into, but other than that, she's gone. I tried looking for her but gave up because I don't want to scare her anymore. What makes this worse....is that my other hen prefers her sister as a buddy, so this one is also the "social" outcast for the time being (low on the pecking order).
I know chickens are flock animals and prefer to stay near each other - will Penny [most likely] come back once she's calm down (I still have her sister)? I'm worried that she being new hasn't thought of the coop as home yet...
Any help and advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
Thanks in advance - wish me tons of luck.
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