How to integrate 1 hen into a free range flock of 5?

[DBeebe06]

This

It is better to introduce a pair than a single bird. Depending on the size of your enclosure - pick a middle of the flock of the main flock. Put her and the new bird in the enclosure. There will be a dust up, but one on one should settle pretty quickly. Do this when you can watch and keep an eye on them. But really I would expect this to be a bit of bluster.

Let the original bird roost with the others at night, new one in the cat box. Do this for several days so that this pair gets along. Then close to dark, when the other birds come back to roost, put out some treats in several places, let everyone mingle. bluster and settle. The urge to roost will be pretty strong, and there is a good chance she will follow them into roost.

If not keep repeating until it does work. This way you are introducing a pair to the group, not a single bird.

Mrs K

This sounds the most promising so far, thank you! I am not sure on who has the mid range in my pecking order, there's only 4 ladies but im gonna take a guess and see what happens. The size of the enclosure is about 4x2 ft and maybe 3 ft tall. Is that too small to try this method with?

 

[Mrs. K]

They are not full size birds, so I think you can get away with it. However, I would do this on a day when you are close at hand. But because they are so young, I think it will be a bit of bluster and not much more. Especially with the rest of the birds gone out free ranging.

The thing with 3 feet high, is it might not keep them contained? Anything - a net to go over it? A large piece of cardboard might work too. Tape it down on the sides, Cut a little door that you can drop birds in, or feed and water in.

As for which bird. Walk out away from your birds, then toss down a favored treat. Kind of, sort of -the first one there is generally the top bird, and the last one there is the least bird. You want one of the middle birds.

Report back!
Mrs K

 

[DBeebe06]

They are not full size birds, so I think you can get away with it. However, I would do this on a day when you are close at hand. But because they are so young, I think it will be a bit of bluster and not much more. Especially with the rest of the birds gone out free ranging.

The thing with 3 feet high, is it might not keep them contained? Anything - a net to go over it? A large piece of cardboard might work too. Tape it down on the sides, Cut a little door that you can drop birds in, or feed and water in.

As for which bird. Walk out away from your birds, then toss down a favored treat. Kind of, sort of -the first one there is generally the top bird, and the last one there is the least bird. You want one of the middle birds.

Report back!
Mrs K

It has a top, its a portion of a rabbit hutch that keeps them safe. Thanks for your help!