Integrating 1 hen to flock of littles after sudden loss of her friend

[Megger2]

Hi - cross-posted as this is probably more appropriate here. I’m newish to chicken keeping. Currently have 2 Dominiques about 4 years old we adopted when we bought our current house. They are located in a not-great coop set up - spending a lot of time under a coop that is impossible for humans to reach/clean out. One developed fly strike after the hurricane and horribly warm weather here in NY (she wasn't allowing us to pick her up to clean her backside). I started treatment last night (thanks to great info here - bath, picked out all maggots, Vetramycin, vitamins/supportive care). But my question is really about isolation. She only has 1 hen friend and last night went right back up on the roost. Her friend snuggled right up next to her, no signs of bullying/picking. With only 2 chickens in this flock how important is isolation? How devastating would it be for the chicken left behind?

To make it more complicated in my brain, I'm currently isolating 7 babies (7 weeks) in our gorgeous new coop. Was planning to introduce the groups after 1 month isolation this weekend. However wasn't planning to do full coop integration until the littles were much older this winter (like 14-16 weeks). If I end up isolating the sick chicken (or "shudder" she dies - which I think is really likely at this point) does it make sense to try and speed this process up? Any experience working one full grown hen into a flock of 8 week olds?

 

[Chickeroonie keeper]

I actually have done this, but not with just one hen. I think the “look but don’t touch” method will work for you

 

[Megger2]

I actually have done this, but not with just one hen. I think the “look but don’t touch” method will work for you

Thanks, glad to hear it’s been done before . I’m so sad about possibly only introducing 1 hen to the newbie flock. I could - after introducing across the run for some time - house her in a pet house underneath the regular hen house for some days. Keep a fence in the covered run so they’d be close without direct access. Sound necessary?

 

[Chickeroonie keeper]

Thanks, glad to hear it’s been done before . I’m so sad about possibly only introducing 1 hen to the newbie flock. I could - after introducing across the run for some time - house her in a pet house underneath the regular hen house for some days. Keep a fence in the covered run so they’d be close without direct access. Sound necessary?

I’m sure that would work just fine! Hopefully she won’t lose her friend though

 

[Megger2]

I’m sure that would work just fine! Hopefully she won’t lose her friend though

I’m loosing hope on that one. Despite three treatments today she’s not looking good. Thanks so much for your input.

 

[Chickeroonie keeper]

I’m loosing hope on that one. Despite three treatments today she’s not looking good. Thanks so much for your input.

Of course. Have you posted about her situation in emergencies/diseases? Some people may be able to help you there.

 

[Megger2]

Of course. Have you posted about her situation in emergencies/diseases? Some people may be able to help you there.

Yes - thanks. Have gotten tons of good support and info. She turned a corner this morning! Still a lot to recover from but she’s up and eating. So may be I will have a chance to integrate the pair….

 

[Chickeroonie keeper]

Yes - thanks. Have gotten tons of good support and info. She turned a corner this morning! Still a lot to recover from but she’s up and eating. So may be I will have a chance to integrate the pair….

Oh good! That’s lovely to hear!

 

[Megger2]

I’ll update as I know I’m always looking for the end of the story. We lost our hen but it was so easy to integrate the last hen with the flock of pullets. We kept them separate but in the same area for a few days, then free ranged together for about a week, and then one day she went into their hen house herself! Now she’s the matriarch of our little flock and they’re doing great.