How to Introduce Hen.

[Malstrom10]

Hi I have had chickens for many years all old hens now down to three.
Two old girls snowflake and Beth are our original birds.
Big girls,
We where left last year with neighbours hens kept separate for over a year now small bantams. lost our daisy bell today so twinnie left alone.
She's old and Im worried about putting her in with other hens.
Would she be ok left alone. can anyone advise.

 

[Pork Pie]

Maybe this info and links will help:
Quote from @aart
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.”


Flock integration


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-adding-new-chickens-to-the-flock.1164542/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1098683/introducing-new-chickens-to-old-flock#post_16895615

 

[N F C]

Maybe this info and links will help:
Quote from @aart
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.”


Flock integration


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-adding-new-chickens-to-the-flock.1164542/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1098683/introducing-new-chickens-to-old-flock#post_16895615

 

[N F C]

Hi I have had chickens for many years all old hens now down to three.
Two old girls snowflake and Beth are our original birds.
Big girls,
We where left last year with neighbours hens kept separate for over a year now small bantams. lost our daisy bell today so twinnie left alone.
She's old and Im worried about putting her in with other hens.
Would she be ok left alone. can anyone advise.

Sorry for the loss of your Daisy Bell. Pork Pie has given you some great info, hope it helps you out.

Thanks for joining us!