Can a chicken integrate by herself?

[Gertrude LaBirdy]

My pullet is having trouble integrating into my flock. Should we get another chicken to integrate with her, and if so, what breeds would be chill?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Take out one of your existing hens. One of the bottom-runners. Let them make friends with each other before integrating them back.

Or, if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new pullet... almost any breed will work, so long as the new pullet isn't a psycho. In your situation, I'd prefer to get a fiercer girl who'll stand up for herself against the others. I like self-sufficient hens.

 

[Gertrude LaBirdy]

We only have 2 birds in our flock...

 

[Gertrude LaBirdy]

But thanks

 

[aart]

Lots of tips and advice given here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...integrating-new-birds-into-the-flock.1292533/

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

My pullets tend to avoid the older hens until they mature enough to force their way into the pecking order. That's usually about the time they start laying. Mature hens outrank immature pullets and can peck them or worse if the pullets invade their personal space. It usually doesn't take the pullets long to learn to avoid the adults. I consider an integration successful as long as the younger ones are not getting hurt. They will work the rest out as they mature.

You can get another pullet the same age and put her in there. The two younger ones might bond and hang together or you might wind up with four chickens going three different ways or one getting picked on. You cannot tell what will happen with living animals and their behaviors. Life just works that way.

I don't know what breeds you have now. If you get another I'd suggest one about the same general size.