Daisy Stays Alone

[lmdengler]

Good Morning -
Back in June one of my hens became very sick. Low and behold - she made it back from the brink. I slowly introduced her back to the flock and in late August I put her with them full time. Now from June to then - I took exceptional one-on-one care of her. Now that she is back in the flock - what I notice is she is a "loner". Sometimes she doesn't come out of the coop. Sometimes she is off in a corner. Every now and again - I see the other hens pick on her. Not all of them - just the ones that came with her when I got her originally. I feel so badly for her that I take her out during the day and she eats and drinks like crazy. I'm worried she will starve or dehydrate if I don't take her out. Advice?
Lisa

 

[allosaurusrock]

I'd put her in a crate with food and water either just outside or inside the coop so she can be reintroduced again. They can work out their differences with a cage between them.

 

[aart]

I'd put her in a crate with food and water either just outside or inside the coop so she can be reintroduced again. They can work out their differences with a cage between them......

...or at least most of them.

Follow Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock