Advise Please

[BarredR]

Ive had a small flock of Barred Rocks and was looking to get a broody hen so I posted a add on Craig's list. With in a few days I got a email from a gal who lived about a hour away saying she has a young broody Mottled Cochin Bantem. I did my Re search learned they are very broody and great mothers so I picked her up for $25. Being small she was real intimidated by my flock and has been welcomed by my roo but my hens thrash on her bad she is no longer broody nor likes to be around the flock. So I figured Mabey I need a larger broody hen and left my add on Craig's list. A few days go by and I got a call from a guy saying he lives in my town and has a broody Welsummer that I can have free of charge. Same exact thing my hens want to thrash on her. She is no longer broody and won't go around my flock. Now my Cochin Bantem and Welsummer stick together and just want to stay hiding in the hen house. I'm not wanting two flocks to co exist what should I do? I understand the whole pecking order but these new hens are so scared they don't even try defending them selves or establishing a place in the flock.

 

[Mister B]

I don't know, but I want to learn. Maybe some will answer and we can both know.

 

[Mister B]

I found this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/720535/integrating-a-new-chicken

 

[Lizzyliz246]

I've found that when you introduce new chickens to a flock, they will be more likely to transition smoother if you introduce more than one at a time. Get three and place them as close to your flock as you can. In your situation I would obtain one more bloody hen and then try re-introducing them all at the same time.

 

[Loghousemom]

When I have wanted to introduce new members to the flock, I keep them separate for at least 30 days in a place no where near my other birds first to ensure they are not carrying diseases back into my flock. When I put them in the hen house, I use a woven wire pen to separate them but allow the other birds to see in and them to see out. I do this for at least 2 weeks before integrating. Then I like to let all my hens outside to free range then let the other new birds have run of the house. I move them back into their seperate pen at night. usually only a couple days of this then I let everyone out together too free range.

I think this works well for me, and I have not seemed to have much other than the regular pecking order shift happen when introducing.

I have only brought full grown hens into my flock once, otherwise it has always been roosters. I do however, raise chicks in the same manner. Brood in the house for 2-4 weeks then out to a brood box in the coop for a few more weeks then into a woven wire pen inside the coop until they are almost full size. Then I release all the hens out to free range with the rest of the flock. (Any extra roos are either sold or butchered at this point)

I think having many integrating at once also helps so that there are not just one bird getting all the pecks from the order shift.

 

[Burns Homestead]

When I have wanted to introduce new members to the flock, I keep them separate for at least 30 days in a place no where near my other birds first to ensure they are not carrying diseases back into my flock. When I put them in the hen house, I use a woven wire pen to separate them but allow the other birds to see in and them to see out. I do this for at least 2 weeks before integrating. Then I like to let all my hens outside to free range then let the other new birds have run of the house. I move them back into their seperate pen at night. usually only a couple days of this then I let everyone out together too free range.

I think this works well for me, and I have not seemed to have much other than the regular pecking order shift happen when introducing.

I have only brought full grown hens into my flock once, otherwise it has always been roosters. I do however, raise chicks in the same manner. Brood in the house for 2-4 weeks then out to a brood box in the coop for a few more weeks then into a woven wire pen inside the coop until they are almost full size. Then I release all the hens out to free range with the rest of the flock. (Any extra roos are either sold or butchered at this point)

I think having many integrating at once also helps so that there are not just one bird getting all the pecks from the order shift.

I Agree, I also do this It works alot better and the hens or flock get to know each other first.

 

[Mister B]

When I put my new chicks in the run last year, I did something like that. I took some 2" chicken wire and made a wall across the run. I made one part with about 3-4" gap from the ground. The chicks could go out and check out the grown ups and escape to their area if anybody got mean. The most inquisitive chick, I named it "Crow" since it was jet black (They were barred rock chicks), walked up to the biggest hen, stretched up as far as his little neck would go and pecked her right on the top of her beak. She squawked and backed up. Crow walked back to his enclosure. Impressive for a little chick.

However, I have never tried to integrate adults.

 

[BarredR]

Well thanks for the advice guys just wanted a broody and got two that are no longer broody nor laying.

 

[Loghousemom]

I have read many times that one way to break a broody is to move them, but the good thing is that if they went broody before they will likely again, so don't loose hope. You could try to separate the ones you want broody and have them set on fakes for a while and see if they take to it. Try a darker area. If they aren't laying again maybe it will work.

 

[chad-o]

Any upset and they stop laying. The best way to introduce a new bird to the flock. Keep them separate but where they see each other for a week or two. Then put them in with the rest. They will still have to find their place in the pecking order but it is a lot less stressful.