Chicken Rescue

[FluffyMoana]

This little guy was abandoned when a couple moved from their home. As we are chicken lovers and have two backyard chicken of our own the neighbors reached out to me to see if I would capture and rescue the orphan. I’m a little nervous and need some advise. Is this a hen or a rooster? We live in the city and can’t take a rooster to zoning restrictions. What breed (Americauna)? How can I protect my flock from aggression and disease? The chicken has been roaming the neighborhood since before Christmas so he/she is a pretty hardy little bird. I’d like to try and give her a safe home if possible. Thank you so much for any help or advice!

 

[Cyprus]

Female, mix breed

 

[JedJackson]

She's a female and a game hen of some sort.

Catching her won't be easy. Probably your best bet is keeping an eye on her one day and catching her after she goes to sleep. Or maybe start luring her over by leaving food around. It would be a good idea to enlist the help of neighbors, if you can.

Normal quarantine is at least a month, but in this case you have observed the bird for over that, and she seems healthy, so I think you are okay to introduce her when you are able to catch her.

Integrating her will probably difficult at first. She is the odd bird out, so she will likely be picked on for a while. Normally we recommend putting the new bird in a cage or crate and leaving that inside the coop for a while, so the birds can see each other but not touch. But if you have cold weather, I might add her right away just so she can keep warm.

Is there enough space for her in the coop and run? It's a good idea to add places for her to escape from the others once she is introduced. Perches, branches, empty boxes, etc.
I hope you are able to catch her and that she integrates well. Good luck.

 

[Shadrach]

I probably wouldn't mix a game hen with the flock you have.
The easiest way to catch her would be at night while she's roosting.
A long pole with a T piece at the end carefully placed between her foot and knee joint will work if you are calm and it is dark. If she can see well enough to fly she will.
All chickens have an instinctive reaction to step backwards onto anything placed directly behind them between foot and knee. I've been getting chickens here out of trees using this method for years. It must be dark and the pressure you apply must be firm but gentle.

 

[Gray Farms]

She is a game hen, likely American game. If you can catch her quarantine her for at least 30 days before introducing her to your flock. Although if she has been wild all her life she will look for every chance to escape. She'll be a poor layer but a good broody.

 

[drumstick diva]

x2