Adding a single hen to a small flock....has anyone tried.....?

[FowlPrincess]

Hi all. When introducing a single pullet to a small flock, has anyone tried bringing one of your current hens inside first to get her used to the new pullet for a week or two before taking them out for integration so that she will have at least one familiar face?

If so did you have any success?

Thanks!

 

[troy4]

I've never done it.I wouldn't keep them in a a dog kennel.Somewhere she can run if they get into a few tussles.This also works.Put them in a cage where neither has been.So in this case neither hen will recongnize the territory.Well the old hen won't be territorial.Almsot the whole yards a chickens territory, but mainly the coop yard and the coop.Normally if hens fight its either because of no food not enough space or maybe NEW hen or just plainwn territorial.Hens shouldn't fight like that not knowing where they are or will look at eachother awkwardly.They may stay away from each other for a day or so,but once you give them treats they will be right there.In their faces.Once you see them getting social with each other put them back in there.its gonna take about 2weeks.I'd just do this.Cause my pullets were territorial.Just put them in at the same time.She may beat her if shre's been at that place longer.It will be war.Territotorial war!mines beat a HEN up.WAYYY bigger then them too.It prooves that it will turn into a disaster.I put 2 mama hens in there.The pullets were defending the first one in there.The other got beat up bAD!1st mama was a mom to all.

 

[FowlPrincess]

I've never done it.I wouldn't keep them in a a dog kennel.Somewhere she can run if they get into a few tussles.This also works.Put them in a cage where neither has been.So in this case neither hen will recongnize the territory.Well the old hen won't be territorial.Almsot the whole yards a chickens territory, but mainly the coop yard and the coop.Normally if hens fight its either because of no food not enough space or maybe NEW hen or just plainwn territorial.Hens shouldn't fight like that not knowing where they are or will look at eachother awkwardly.They may stay away from each other for a day or so,but once you give them treats they will be right there.In their faces.Once you see them getting social with each other put them back in there.its gonna take about 2weeks.I'd just do this.Cause my pullets were territorial.Just put them in at the same time.She may beat her if shre's been at that place longer.It will be war.Territotorial war!mines beat a HEN up.WAYYY bigger then them too.It prooves that it will turn into a disaster.I put 2 mama hens in there.The pullets were defending the first one in there.The other got beat up bAD!1st mama was a mom to all.

Here's what I have done so far:

My male duck was being mean to the newest chickens, they are integrated except for the Mr. Duck issue. I also bought 2 EE pullets (one turned out to be a roo) so now I need to integrate her too. I brought in Mr. Duck first. They are in the garage, Peach the EE in a large wire dog kennel next to Mr. Duck in a large xpen with a lid so he can have a little pool. After a day, I left their doors open. Within 2 days they are buddies and got back and forth between cages and follow us around the garage.

Step two, I brought in Isabella, the EE pullet who was already integrated, but the bottom of the toem pole (and Mr Duck was being mean to her before). She was now alone in the dog kennel next to Peach and Mr. Duck in the xpen (open so if Mr duck decides to be mean, she can leave. This lasts a day.

Step three, I opened both cages again. Mr Duck and both EE's are now hanging out together and seem to be getting along well. I am going to leave them together for a week to bond and then try putting them all back in the yard again. My goals are to have Mr. Duck be nice and make sure Peach has at least one friend (Isabella) to hang out with in the big garden outside. Going well so far!