Chick scared of hens! Need Help!!!

[BOs and Silkie]

Need Help:



I have two hens and I am trying to introduce a two month old chick. The hens don't bother her, but the chick freak out when she is in the coop with the hens. She jumps when a hen comes near her, and then the hen pecks her because she feels threatened. How do I calm my chick down so she wont freak out when she is with the big hens?

 

[un-named]

Welcome to BYC!
Your chick feels threatened and IS threatened by the hen. The hen proves this by pecking the chick... it is not the adult hen feeling threatened here. If possible, separate them so they can see each other and get to know each other gradually. Perhaps a length of chicken wire in the corner of your coop?
Is this possible?
Two months may be too soon to be left alone with adults, perhaps someone who knows more will come along?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I agree, separate them for a while but so they can all see each other (fencing of some sort). You should never add a single smaller hen until they are the same size as the adult hens...or pretty close. The larger hens may cause serious damage to the little one

You may just not see them pecking the new addition but I'm sure they do and thats why it's so freaked out. Good luck!

 

[janinepeters]

I agree with the others, and would like to add that I think it is easier on the newcomer if she has a friend. It's no fun being a loner, especially in a social animal like a chicken, and especially when faced with birds who are bigger, older, and own the turf. You should be able to integrate her successfully, though, and it will certainly be a lot easier on her than if you 15 adult hens. But next time consider getting at least 2 chicks to add to an existing flock.

 

[BOs and Silkie]

The chick has been been separated by poultry fence for a week. Should I continue to do that? How long should I do that for? Can the chick sleep outside by herself?

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Quote:
The rule has always stated "Three's a Crowd" or "She's the Third Wheel" and it is true. I never would introduce just one chick or chicken into another group even if the group is just two or really docile. You are either going to have to take it reallllly slow (probably up until the chick is a couple more months old) or introduce another youngster to that chick and then introduce them to the other two. If the chick was not raised in a coop environment by a broody those big girls are really scarey.

Good luck

 

[janinepeters]

As far as timing, I have never fully integrated young ones with adults until the younger ones are about to start laying, or about 4 months old. You do it gradually. Put them together for a little time each day, starting with just a few minutes, or until an adult starts to bully her. Supervise when they are together. When you see that there is no violence, you can give them more time together each day, but I would keep things set up for possible separation until she is adult size or close to it. Eventually they will accept her, but they will probably remain dominant.

I do it this slowly even when the number of new chicks exceeds the number of adults. Better safe than sorry.