Integrating Adopted Hen

[Roley]

Hi all,
I currently have 4 chickens
2x @ 4.5 weeks (Black Australorp)
2x @ 1.5 weeks (Buff Orpington & Barred Rock).
My neighbor had 7 hens, recently they encountered a raccoon attack leaving one lone chicken behind (we call her survivor), whom also happens to be a Barred Rock. She loves coming to our yard and spending time with us. I feel badly for her because she is all alone so we decided to build our coop with her in mind. I'd love to give her a new home with my baby chicks but last time I had them out together she tried to attack the littlest one. They were doing great for a few moments eating together, checking one another out, but then suddenly, she got a good peck in and flung my poor little baby cooper (cooper is ok, didn't appear to be hurt, just a bit stunned). Now here is my question:

- Should I try to integrate her into the new, much younger flock?
- If so, how do I do it without compromising my own chick's safety?
- At what point do I let Survivor into the coop to sleep at night with the others?
- If I do, how will I know she will not pick on the little ones when the coop is closed at night and no one is there to protect my little peeps?
- Is this a bad idea all together?
- Any other advise is welcome.

Currently building the coop
8x4 with 2 nesting boxes

*Photo was taken about a week ago

 

[Skipper81]

I’d integrate around 8-10 weeks old to be safe

 

[Perris]

does your neighbour want you to take the survivor? or are they restocking - in which case she'll have company there...?

 

[Roley]

does your neighbour want you to take the survivor? or are they restocking - in which case she'll have company there...?

They said they were not planning to restock. They were just gonna let Survivor ride it out :,(. I haven’t properly asked about taking her in yet. I wanted to be sure it would work before I offer. I’m pretty sure they won’t mind. Survivor is no longer laying eggs, probably because she is stressed. If I were to guess, shes about 2 years, give or take. Also she doesn’t like staying in her coop anymore, I imagine that’s where the attack happened. She prefers hangs out on our yard, not sure where she takes shelter at night.

 

[Mrs. K]

Is the picture of the hen in question and your chicks? Cause if she is not attacking them, I would not worry about it. I would not expect her to brood them, but if she is not actively chasing them, just hanging with them, I think it will work.

I would watch her with the chicks for quite a spell, but if the picture is accurate, I don't think you have a problem. A very handy way of adding chicks to hens is to give them a safety zone, a place they can fit into that something chasing them is too big to follow them. A simple one is just lifting up the separating fence a couple of inches off the ground. You want the safety zone to have a lot of safe entrances, so lifting the fence gives nearly 100% entry, as you don't want a chick trapped before they can get to safety.

And I agree, I think she will start to lay shortly.

However, whatever got their chickens, will be scoping out your place next.

MRs K

 

[Roley]

Is the picture of the hen in question and your chicks? Cause if she is not attacking them, I would not worry about it. I would not expect her to brood them, but if she is not actively chasing them, just hanging with them, I think it will work.

Thank you for your feedback!
Yes, the hen in the picture is our neighbor's survivor and the little ones are mine. The photo was taken moments before she pecked and flung the smallest one (named cooper). She was eating right next to them just fine, then suddenly had a change of heart and went for the attack. Maybe cooper was going for the same piece of food she was going to grab, not sure what happened.

A very handy way of adding chicks to hens is to give them a safety zone, a place they can fit into that something chasing them is too big to follow them.

I will definitely try the safe zone in the run!
Do you think it would be ok to put the chicks in a small cage within the coop at night, along with the big hen? Or should I observe them a bit more during the day before I do something like that?

However, whatever got their chickens, will be scoping out your place next.

I'm going to do my best to secure the coop .
I amazed Survivor is still alive! I have no idea where she takes shelter but I have seen raccoons lurking around just about every night.

Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions

 

[Mrs. K]

I think the plan of the cage in the coop at night is a good one. Set up a safety zone in the run and you should be good to go for the most part. Many people on here have found that introducing chicks to hens works much better than older chicks, as they are less threatening.

However, the older birds are NOT NICE, and get impatient, and can kill a chick if they get one trapped. Last year, I kept my chicks in a tote for a week, then put the tote on its side with a wooly hen in the safety zone. Mostly they stayed in the zone, I used some lattice panels. On the chick's terms they slowly ventured out and explored the bigger area. Retreating to safety when they felt threatened, worked a treat, and in a week, they were all fine together.

Do lock up at night tight, till you have your run coon proof, coons mostly get chickens at night, and they can wipe you out.

Mrs K