Bad timing

[dewpetals]

We are adding a single hen to our flock. I know it's not ideal but this person is looking to rehome only her. We've had our EE since July, they're about 6 months old, no-one is laying yet. 1 rooster and 5 hens. I know I need to quarantine but I'm trying to sort that with just the one bird. Temps are dropping here in North Alabama into 30s. Can a single bird keep themselves warm? I do have a large coop and run once she's out of quarantine. I was thinking of keeping her in a large wire crate (moving it from run to coop day and night) to integrate her slowly.

But what about quarantine? Maybe in the garage where its warmer?

Would getting another hen from a different flock just for her help in antway? ( chicken math. )

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hmm. Well. If you did, then you'd have to quarantine the two hens separate from each other as well as from the flock, right? Could you do that? Then you'd have to introduce the two hens to each other, then the two hens together into the flock. Which would be better than just putting a single hen in. But .... sounds like a lot of work to me. Anyway, good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[dewpetals]

Hmm. Well. If you did, then you'd have to quarantine the two hens separate from each other as well as from the flock, right? Could you do that? Then you'd have to introduce the two hens to each other, then the two hens together into the flock. Which would be better than just putting a single hen in. But .... sounds like a lot of work to me. Anyway, good luck, whatever you decide!

Yeah, I thought about that too...

 

[Mrs. K]

What you want to do, is introduce a single bird from the middle of your flock to your new bird, in as big of space as you can. If your family will go for the garage, that might be great. Now there will be a dust up, two strange birds, but one on one should settle pretty quick - do give it a couple of days.

Then depending on the number of your original flock, I might add a pair of the original flock to the pair in the garage if you have a lot of birds say over a dozen, or if you have less than 4-5 birds, just add the pair back into the flock, but there is a trick to it.

Let the flock out of the coop/run, and lock the garage pair in the coop/run. This lets them explore and get some territorial right to the coop/run without being chased by the original birds. And yes, even though the one bird came from here, she has been gone for a couple of days.

Then as close to dark as you dare, let the original back in. Now the urge to roost will nearly be equal to the urge to fight. Do get down there early in the morning and keep a pretty close eye on things.

Once in a while, you will get an old Biddy that will just be wicked, if so, she goes to the garage.

I am assuming that you have multiple feeders places so that while eating at one place, a bird cannot see a bird eating at another. Hide outs, clutter, mini walls, roosts all make your run more interesting, and safer for new birds.

Mrs K

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What you want to do, is introduce a single bird from the middle of your flock to your new bird, in as big of space as you can. If your family will go for the garage, that might be great. Now there will be a dust up, two strange birds, but one on one should settle pretty quick - do give it a couple of days.

Then depending on the number of your original flock, I might add a pair of the original flock to the pair in the garage if you have a lot of birds say over a dozen, or if you have less than 4-5 birds, just add the pair back into the flock, but there is a trick to it.

Let the flock out of the coop/run, and lock the garage pair in the coop/run. This lets them explore and get some territorial right to the coop/run without being chased by the original birds. And yes, even though the one bird came from here, she has been gone for a couple of days.

Then as close to dark as you dare, let the original back in. Now the urge to roost will nearly be equal to the urge to fight. Do get down there early in the morning and keep a pretty close eye on things.

Once in a while, you will get an old Biddy that will just be wicked, if so, she goes to the garage.

I am assuming that you have multiple feeders places so that while eating at one place, a bird cannot see a bird eating at another. Hide outs, clutter, mini walls, roosts all make your run more interesting, and safer for new birds.

Mrs K

Excellent advice. I still think you have to first q'tine the new bird before introducing one of your flock birds to her, but this should def work. Good luck.

 

[dewpetals]

Thank you! I will do as Mrs. K suggested. Right now "Ruby" is in quarantine.