Integrating a single rescued hen

[krthaymp]

I know, I said no more. I had 4. Wanted just two more. Got 5 more. Said no more again. But… there’s a single surviving hen from a lady not far away that needs a new home. Something destroyed her coop and took out all but one mature (no longer laying) hen.
I’m thinking of integrating her. She’s been outside, so quarantine in a dog crate on the screened front porch?
I have a small 3-chicken coop that I keep with the intent of a sick bay in mind but it’s attached to the current run and I think that defeats the purpose of quarantine.
I could detach it and set it up in the back yard by the house or on the back porch, but my existing flock has access when they’re out.
My plan is to quarantine for a month (front porch), then move her into the holding coop that’s attached to the main coop for a couple of weeks, then move her in the roost with the others at night.
It’s cold though… will she be ok in quarantine outside by herself? The porch isn’t headed.

 

[DobieLover]

As long as she is protected from winds blowing directly on her and from predators she should be fine on the front porch.

After she has her couple of weeks of 'look don't touch' integration, I would not just put her in the coop with the others. I would allow her out into their outside space before letting them out of the coop and let her explore it for at least an hour. Then open the door and let the rest of the flock out after you have spread food all over the run so she has a place to go to get something to eat without being harassed. Stay an monitor. Also make sure you have lots of things to do in the run as well as places to hide and jump up to perch on.

If during her 'look don't touch' integration there is a bird that stays near her on the other side of the fence without showing signs of aggression, after a week you might want to put that bird in with her and see if they get along. Then leave them together for a week and release the two together. That would make the integration much easier for her. Good luck.