Adding a Hen to flock

[flytpm]

I have 2 RIR,1 LB,1 BO,1BA and 1 Delaware hens. I got a BR hen today about the same age (just over 1 yr), I got her from my uncle and she's healthy. I put her in small wire cage in run this evening and there was lil squabbling thru the wire. Tonight I put her in her wire cage in the coop. How long before I can let her out? Thanks.

 

[Imp]

The 3 most often posted means are:

keep her in the cage till they get a chance to know one another.

put her in at night on the roost, then they will wake up together.

put her in and let them work it out.

Any way means you need to monitor. If it gets ugly remove her and try again.

Good luck

Imp

 

[ParrotsNPullets]

We introduced a bantam Cochin to our established flock of ~8mo old standard mixed heavy breeds. Due to her size we used a combination of the strategies listed by Imp. We put her in a mini-run wire enclosure within the main run (after a few weeks of quarantining), put her out with the rest of the girls when they free-ranged so she had plenty of room to run away, snuck her into the coop at night and woke up very early to be sure she wouldn't get attacked in an enclosed space, and we also tossed treats to the other girls every time before we put Lady (the bantam) near them for positive reinforcement.


There will always be squabbles and some rather disheartening bullying as she gets worked into the pecking order, but you might be surprised. Our biggest bully was our disabled EE, and now she and Lady are best friends that do everything together, including our EE keeping her fluff around Lady at night to keep her warm.

If you see any blood or really bad bullying remove your Rock and try again after the wounds have healed (don't want them to be attracted to the blood and make things worse). Eventually they will get the idea that the Rock isn't going anywhere & they have to make the best of things.


Hope some of this helps! Best of luck to you and your new gal!

 

[flytpm]

She will have been in cage in run 5 days Thur so I'll put her on roost Thur night and get up at daylight Fri and see how it goes. Thx again.