How do I introduce a new chicken?

[emilynieuwerkerk]

Hi everyone, I have a 5-6 month old pullet and want to get her a friend (the other two sadly passed on ). The chicken I am getting is a different breed but if same age. What are some tips on introducing one chicken to another?? Thank you!

 

[cavemanrich]

2 chickens is not really a problem. Usually when you introduce a single chicken to an existing flock, you have some challenges.
I would just let both graze together outdoors, and watch their behavior. If one is definitely attacking the other, (there are some more aggressive breeds than others) then separate them so its see,,,,, but don't touch.
I think since you have a lone chicken,,,,, she will gladly accept companionship.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[aart]

Hi everyone, I have a 5-6 month old pullet and want to get her a friend (the other two sadly passed on ). The chicken I am getting is a different breed but if same age. What are some tips on introducing one chicken to another?? Thank you!

How did the others die...disease or predators?

Here's some tips about....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[emilynieuwerkerk]

How did the others die...disease or predators?

Here's some tips about....
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.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thank you so much, this will be a big help!!!! Also, one of them got taken by a fox (during the day!!) and we feel as though the other one may have been nipped by the fox because it started becoming rlly sick a few days after the attack. We took her to the vet and they said she may have had swelling to the brain. We then had to get her out down a few weeks later

 

[emilynieuwerkerk]

2 chickens is not really a problem. Usually when you introduce a single chicken to an existing flock, you have some challenges.
I would just let both graze together outdoors, and watch their behavior. If one is definitely attacking the other, (there are some more aggressive breeds than others) then separate them so its see,,,,, but don't touch.
I think since you have a lone chicken,,,,, she will gladly accept companionship.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Perfect, thank you so much!!!