Any suggestions on integrating a lone hen into my flock of three?

[3cuteCHIX]

Hey everyone, I have recently adopted a two year old americauna hen "Myrtle". She was the lone survivor of a raccoon attack. I have had her for three days in a pen next to my flocks big pen. My one year old flock of three consists of Winnifred (Buff Orbington), Biatrice (Silver Laced Wyondotte) and Verna (Barnevelder). While being next to each other I did not notice any aggressive behaviors, so today I tried to introduce Myrtle and Winnie in the big pen. Immediately, Winnie became very aggressive. This was a surprise as she is generally quite docile. I've separated them, but I'm concerned about trying again because I know that Biatrice is the top hen and can be a bit aggressive. Any suggestions on what I can do to help integrate Myrtle with out her getting too beat up?

Thanks.

 

[kazoo1111]

Uhhhh, that's a tough one. maybe try introducing her to them and toss corn out for them? That or I'd suggest trying to hide the mean chicken for a bit so that your newbie would have someone to side with. Sorry I can't by that much help

 

[TwoCrows]

Hi there,

and welcome to BYC!

Mixing in new birds to a new flock can take a couple to a few weeks. (And sneaking them onto the roost bar at night does no good. They are much to smart for this.

) They need to see each other from the other side of a fence or cage for some time. They see, but no touching. This also gives the birds some isolation space for disease purposes. Just leave the new bird separate, but within the flock for a couple weeks and try again. There should be little aggression, at least not anything too brutal. Of course always intervene if it gets bloody.

Good luck with your flock and enjoy BYC!

 

[cafarmgirl]

Give it a little more time with the new bird being fenced in her own area, she's only been there a few days so aggression is likely to still be high from the other birds. Give it a week or so for them to settle down then try it again, starting with the least dominant bird. With only one new bird it just takes a lot of time and patience sometimes. They will still have their normal pecking order scuffles later but things shouldn't be as bad.

 

[3cuteCHIX]

Hey, Thanks for all the advice everyone! I guess I was being a bit anxious about integrating everyone into a big happy family, mainly because I felt bad for Myrtle. I did some perusing of all the hen house pics and got some great ideas for some modifications I could make on my big run to create a fenced off section with in it...like get to know me "safely" area for Myrtle.

Thanks again.

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! I'm guilty of sneaking the new one in on the roost at night, seems to have worked ok for me so far lol.

 

[Marthab1953]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you. TwoCrows has given good advice.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!