HELP! Introducing 1 hen into a flock of 3?!

[lazy gardener]

? Why are they "rescue birds"? Sounds like a horse stable would be a perfect set up for a flock of chickens.

 

[azygous]

If you are on edge at the idea of letting these chickens free range in your back yard, it's probably because you realize on some level that the yard isn't secure enough. Chickens benefit greatly from being outside in the sunlight and being able to scratch and dirt bathe in real soil. It's incentive for you to find a way to provide the security so they can do this.

Go over to the Coops and Runs forum and post some photos of your back yard and ask for ideas. You will get plenty. What you probably want is to build some sort of covered run onto your coop. But there may be other attractive options as well.

Meanwhile, you can easily train your chickens to come back to the coop by using a container of scratch grain and while offering them treats from it, use a verbal cue. In no time they will associate the verbal command with treats and will come when called. They also respond to the visual cue of the container, so use it every time you want to get them into the coop.

 

[C KL]

Sadly, I think if you get another silky, you will have two birds that are picked upon. Smaller 'different' birds are always picked on. Silkies raised in mixed flocks generally do well, but depending upon circumstances can be impossible to integrate into established flocks. Is there the possibility of another coop/run just for silkies ? Everyone needs at least two coops.

To be honest my parter isn't the biggest chicken fan already, our coop has taken over the main part of our garden so I think suggesting another coop might send him over the edge

Feeling the struggle with this one, really don't want to have to give her back but also don't want her to get hurt

 

[C KL]

? Why are they "rescue birds"? Sounds like a horse stable would be a perfect set up for a flock of chickens.

The LB was a rescue from a factory where she was cages with a high number of other hens, the lady who I got her from then was keeping them in a horse stable....so I didn't rescue her myself (if you know what I mean.)

 

[C KL]

If you are on edge at the idea of letting these chickens free range in your back yard, it's probably because you realize on some level that the yard isn't secure enough. Chickens benefit greatly from being outside in the sunlight and being able to scratch and dirt bathe in real soil. It's incentive for you to find a way to provide the security so they can do this.

Go over to the Coops and Runs forum and post some photos of your back yard and ask for ideas. You will get plenty. What you probably want is to build some sort of covered run onto your coop. But there may be other attractive options as well.

Meanwhile, you can easily train your chickens to come back to the coop by using a container of scratch grain and while offering them treats from it, use a verbal cue. In no time they will associate the verbal command with treats and will come when called. They also respond to the visual cue of the container, so use it every time you want to get them into the coop.

Ok that's great thank you, they do have a big run they are in all day where there is soil, dust baths, perches and grass ( which they love to ruin of course!)

I think ive confused everyone by saying they are in a big coop....I meant they have their house they sleep and nest in at night...then they have a big run which is "outside" but just protected with wire ect.