How to Introduce Two New Hens to a Single Survivor of a Flock

[Polimom]

The day before yesterday, my small flock of 8 was wiped out by a neighborhood dog. One hen somehow survived uninjured, but she’s sad. A friend is going to give me a pair of Buff Orpingtons of about the same age. (1 or 2 years old).

My question is: Is there anything I should be aware of in a situation where there’s only one surviving bird? I chose the Buff Orpingtons because they are typically so mellow (and this pair is fairly tame to boot). But I’m concerned that even with that, they might bully my lone survivor, and she’s already been through so much.

Any ideas on how to make this as painless as possible for all concerned?

 

[David61]

This is what "chicken wire" was made for ! To keep chickens in or out. Look but no touch for a week or two then they should play nice.

 

[Perris]

The day before yesterday, my small flock of 8 was wiped out by a neighborhood dog. One hen somehow survived uninjured, but she’s sad. A friend is going to give me a pair of Buff Orpingtons of about the same age. (1 or 2 years old).

My question is: Is there anything I should be aware of in a situation where there’s only one surviving bird? I chose the Buff Orpingtons because they are typically so mellow (and this pair is fairly tame to boot). But I’m concerned that even with that, they might bully my lone survivor, and she’s already been through so much.

Any ideas on how to make this as painless as possible for all concerned?

sorry for your loss; that must have been horrendous.

I would not add 2 birds, I would add just 1 to start, so that your lone survivor isn't the odd one out in the threesome. You could add more at a later date when the traumatized one is back on her feet and has a friend.

Usual quarantine rules apply if you want to avoid importing disease as well as the bird(s).

 

[Isadora]

And yet another opinion for you. Since the 2 new birds will be introduced on territory they're not familiar with, I don't necessarily think they're just going to bully the other bird. It's always possible but they will be adjusting to their new surroundings and I doubt they would go out of their way to attack her, especially initially.
Ideally I would want to set something up so there's a partition between the 2 groups so they can see each other and get used to each other and then remove it and hopefully everyone will co mingle peacefully.

 

[Bella the Chicken Lover]

I'm sorry for your loss, and it is good if she has a friend. I would recommend what @Perris said, and I hope the best for your hen!

 

[Yardmom]

We just did this at my neighbors. We were prepared to separate, but we didn't need to. They were fine. The neighbors surviving hen was a mature hen in her own environment. We brought her to point of lay pullets. We did it right after roost time. The older bird was on her roost and the pullets had just enough time to explore and find their own roosts. We were pleasantly surprised that they did not fight at all.

 

[Polimom]

This is very encouraging! Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!

I have a (very large) crate that I’ll put into the coop (a converted horse stall). I think I’ll try Yardmom’s approach initially, and I’ll separate / crate the 2 orps if there’s a problem.

 

[FunClucks]

This is very encouraging! Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!

I have a (very large) crate that I’ll put into the coop (a converted horse stall). I think I’ll try Yardmom’s approach initially, and I’ll separate / crate the 2 orps if there’s a problem.

Sounds like that will work great. I like the wire dog crates myself - they work great for isolation and introduction when needed. I use the 48" L X 30"x36" crates or slightly smaller for one hen.

Sorry your hens were killed. That's so hard. I hope your survivor recovers soon.

I have a smallish 1 yr old easter egger hen (maybe 3.5-4 lbs) and put her in with my seven 2 month pullets. She lorded it over everyone, pecked them all into line, and now they all leave her alone and get out of her way when she fusses. She likes to chase them off the roost at night and flare her feathers at them when she's walking, and peck them if they dare to get to close to her while she's eating. No blood, and I don't see her actually pulling out any feathers, just dominance games.

She's my favorite chicken, and was the lowest on the totem pole in her previous coop, so I'm happy she's in charge for once. Her head feathers are finally growing back.

Normally I'd use a crate to introduce one hen to a crowd, but because she was bigger and more dominant, and already laying, it worked out fine just sticking her in there with the pullets.

Now, my injured pullet who lost wing feathers and some skin (I don't know how, but she's better now) and is the same age as the 2 month olds, I'll crate her in the run for a few weeks prior to letting her out in order to take some starch out those dominance games.

 

[aart]

This is very encouraging! Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!

I have a (very large) crate that I’ll put into the coop (a converted horse stall). I think I’ll try Yardmom’s approach initially, and I’ll separate / crate the 2 orps if there’s a problem.

Best of Cluck!
Let us know how it goes.

 

[Vata Raven]

so sorry for your loss. Dogs are worse than the wildlife

Invest in electric netting, it'll serve you well.