Advice needed on flock introductions

[SraLujan]

Ten weeks ago, I bought two chicks. This week one of them started crowing and we have since discovered that she is actually a he. Roosters are not allowed in our city limits so we will have to find a new home for him. Unfortunately this leaves my hen without any companionship. Since I know chickens are social creatures, I don't want only 1. So we need at least 1 new chicken. I've heard you are supposed to introduce new members into a flock in pairs, but if there is only 1 chicken, does that really apply? Would 1 chicken do fine? Should I worry about ages? I don't really want to start with a chick all over again and would rather get a pullet of about her age. If that's not possible, would an older chicken be fine? Suddenly, my chickens have become very complicated. Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[centrarchid]

Ten weeks ago, I bought two chicks. This week one of them started crowing and we have since discovered that she is actually a he. Roosters are not allowed in our city limits so we will have to find a new home for him. Unfortunately this leaves my hen without any companionship. Since I know chickens are social creatures, I don't want only 1. So we need at least 1 new chicken. I've heard you are supposed to introduce new members into a flock in pairs, but if there is only 1 chicken, does that really apply? Would 1 chicken do fine? Should I worry about ages? I don't really want to start with a chick all over again and would rather get a pullet of about her age. If that's not possible, would an older chicken be fine? Suddenly, my chickens have become very complicated. Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

One bird can live alone for many years. Introduction is not all the difficult, especially when dealing with only two birds. They will fight breifly at first and be prepared to intervene. Make introduction late in evening so they can scrap a little before roosting and imprint on each over night after rank determined.

 

[magnolia-1971]

You can probably find another hen pretty easy on Craigs list. Then for the introduction put the new one in a cage within the others space so they can see eachother, but not get to eachother. Then let the new one roam around the space of your old one, with out the old one in there. Put the new one back in the cage and let the old one back in to smell around. Do this for a few days and then let them together.

What kind do you have? I would try to get another with the same kind of temperment. If you have a breed that is very docile and easy going, i'd try to find another like that.

Good luck

and chickens are flock animals. They really need a friend.

 

[SraLujan]

She is a Rhode Island Red and she's pretty easygoing. I was hoping to get the same breed that my rooster is, an Ameraucauna/Easter Egger. They seemed to get along pretty well. I'm pretty certain she would need a friend. She gets worried when she can't find my other chicken in the yard. Thanks for the advice! Hopefully by this weekend we'll start the process.

 

[magnolia-1971]

good luck and sorry about your rooster

. I ended up having to get rid of 3 roosters this year out of 10 birds. It was hard. We were all very attached to them. They were the sweetest of the flock. We miss them. Here is a picture of Marygold, now Marty

 

[SraLujan]

Yes I gave away my rooster yesterday, but I was lucky and found someone who loved him as much as I did. He was a gorgeous bird and the lady I gave him to was so impressed by his coloring. Then she wrote me a nice e-mail last night telling me what a great temperament he had and how pleased she was with him. It was like someone praising my kids! I suppose it's for the best. Tomorrow we are going to find a new hen for my other chicken, who is very lonely outside alone. Then hopefully things will get back to normal! Thanks for your kind words! I'm sorry you had to give up roosters too. And I agree, it's very hard when you've raised them from tiny fuzzy little babies.

 

[magnolia-1971]

Good luck finding your new hen. I think a slow introduction will be the best way. I hope things go good.