Adding a newbie to an existing flock

pclark17

Songster
5 Years
Jan 5, 2017
60
67
126
Western Kentucky
Several weeks ago we rescued a golden laced wyandotte pullet/hen (5 months old) from a bad situation and have slowly tried to integrate her into our existing trio of 10 month old hens. I kept them separated for the first two weeks but in areas very near each other for visibility purposes. I also would allow the trio to range in the yard while the newcomer could explore the main coop/run areas and get as comfortable as possible. For the next week, I divided our main run/coop area into two separate areas with chicken wire so that all four were in the same space just without access to each other. I have added outdoor roosting bars, there are three feed stations, two water stations and other jumping/hideout stations now that I am allowing the four of them to interact. Our boss hen (barred rock) seems to accept the new hen in all areas with the exception of forbidding her entry into the coop at night to roost. The other two I have (RIR's) are the ones that attempt to scare her off of food areas, try to chase her or show off their pecking order hierarchy. It seems that for the most part, the new hen is comfortable, eats and drinks without too much issue but I am concerned about the night time roost situation. I tried the first several nights to just place her in there once the others went to roost. They seemed to allow that but now I have "let them be" and the main hen just will not allow the new hen to enter the coop for roosting regardless of how many times she tries, or even if I intervene. The new one is roosting outside on a wide tree branch ladder I built but it is open to all weather elements. My worry is that when it gets to be much colder, rains, snows, etc... she will not have a sheltered roost to go to.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
Try moving her into the roost after dark. It might take a couple days--but often the top hen will become accustomed to waking up to her and start letting her in.
 
If RJ suggestion does not work, you might try putting your BR in a secure cage in the coop so the new girl can roost with the RIR. The RIR are being nasty to her during the day b/c they have the most to loose: possibly loosing their pecking order status if this new gal moves up the PO ladder. Perhaps divide the flock into 2 x 2, so the new gal has a buddy in her secure area. Leave them in this arrangement for a week, then put the 2 groups together. If you allow the new gal to sleep out in the tree, integration will not be an issue, because a predator will eat her soon.
 
She isn't roosting outside in a tree, it is on a ladder/roosting bars that I made from tree branches that is inside of my main run area. The concern I had is that it is in the open in terms of weather, but completely enclosed by a 6-7ft tall chicken wire fence and ceiling.

I appreciate the suggestion of pairing them up 2x2, that may be something that is easy to do and could help put everyone in their place, thanks for the tip!
 
I applaud you for a fantastic job of integration. It appears your only real issue at this point has little to do with the integration process. You have a bully. Or maybe three.

That the problem is greatest at roosting time makes it very simple. Here's what you do.

Get yourself an ordinary fly swatter. Hang it in a handy spot where you can grab it fast when the boss hen starts to go after the newbie. Give her a swift swat on the butt and point the fly swatter at her afterward so she will fixate on it being the villain, not you.

This is aversion therapy and it will replace the satisfaction of bullying with the unpleasantness of the fly swatter. After a few swats, just brandishing the fly swatter will curtail the bullying. You may use it on the RIRs that bully her around the food and water, too, but it appears that's less of an issue than the roosting one.
 

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