Help down to 1 hen

[Teresa the chicken lady]

So I got 4 chicks in May well 3 of the 4 were roos. I tried to keep them as long as I could but they are 19 weeks and well starting mounting my one hen and that wasn't going well.......so I did re-home them however now I just have 1 hen. Anticipating this I did get 3 new pullets they are 5.5 weeks and have spent time outside since they were 3 weeks old in a pin attached to the coop/run so they could see each other but not interact. My hen seems very curious in them and follows them around the fence. Yesterday I thought ok let me try and I let them meet and my hen pecked at 2 of them, however yesterday was an emotional day getting rid of my roos so Im sure she was confused. Today she seemed interested in them again so I tried she just stood there but the littles ran away scared. What do I do? Does it just take time?
Also should my hen sleep outside in the coop all by herself? I have a totally open dog crate should I have her sleep in the garage in the dog crate, the 5 week olds are out there at night as they are not sleeping in the coop yet..... What should I do bring her in the garage or keep her outside by herself? She loves to be held and talked to. Yesterday she sat on my lap for 30 minutes while we watched a baseball game.......If I bring her inside will she remember to go in the coop in a couple weeks when the others are bigger? Please advise.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's gonna take a while. As long as the pecking isn't excessive I would let them mingle. I'd probably separate them when you can't keep an eye on things until the chicks are slightly older.

I'd probably leave her in the coop, and I'd most the chicks out asap, separated by a fence initially.

 

[Teresa the chicken lady]

It's gonna take a while. As long as the pecking isn't excessive I would let them mingle. I'd probably separate them when you can't keep an eye on things until the chicks are slightly older.

I'd probably leave her in the coop, and I'd most the chicks out asap, separated by a fence initially.

No she just pecked each of them once and then they ran lol back into their run/pen attached. You think she will be okay in the coop by herself. She is 19 weeks and has been sleeping out their since she was 7 weeks, she's just never been alone. I should move my 5 week old outside at night? I thought they weren't feathered until 6 weeks. I figured I would have to put a fence upon chicken wire between them.....

 

[aart]

I should move my 5 week old outside at night?

Depends on where you live and how you've managed the chicks heat so far.
Probably fine if coop is out of the wind and dry.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/

 

[Sonya9]

Personally I would not leave a hen outside all night by herself, I would keep her in a kennel in my house so she would not be alone.

The single peck that your hen gave the chicks sounds like a dominance peck which just means "I am the boss of you" and is actually a good sign. It is typically one peck straight down on top of their head. My old Buff Orp does that gently when meeting tiny new chicks in the flock and she is actually very good with them, it is different than a peck designed to hurt or chase away.

 

[Lovem all]

If the chicks are big enough let them mingle now. they'll all be friends it'll just take a little time

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

No she just pecked each of them once and then they ran lol back into their run/pen attached. You think she will be okay in the coop by herself. She is 19 weeks and has been sleeping out their since she was 7 weeks, she's just never been alone. I should move my 5 week old outside at night? I thought they weren't feathered until 6 weeks. I figured I would have to put a fence upon chicken wire between them.....

Only your hen knows what's more comfortable as far as where to sleep. Chickens are creatures of habit. She used to the coop. If it makes you feel better than move her elsewhere. Only you can see which option is more distressing to her.

I move my chicks out at 4 weeks this time of year. It depends on whether they are on extra heat or not.