Integrating new members in winter

[Hemigirlone]

I just got a new bantam to go with my family of 3. I placed the new member on the roost at night & this morning they are treating her TERRIBLY (ok, I'm obviously not a hardened farmer). No blood has been drawn, but I'm worried she not able to adequately access food & water. I can crate her in the coop, but am worried about her ability to stay warm enough. We are in a very cold spot in western MA

 

[bobbi-j]

They are just establishing the pecking order. This happens to some extent any time you add too or subtract from the flock. Can you put in another feeder or waterer? Give her some sort of hiding place? As long as no blood is drawn, I would leave her in there. If you separate her and try again later, it's just going to start all over again.

 

[Hemigirlone]

Ugh. Thank you

 

[bobbi-j]

Sorry - integration is seldom pretty...

 

[Mrs. K]

When you add the second feeder, can you put up a board, so that if a hen is eating out of the bowl, part of the run can't see her?

Also add other hideout, but make sure they are not traps, and some roosts in the corner of your run, a pallet up on blocks, or leaned against a fence can really let birds get out of sight of each other. Your run may look more cluttered, but they will be happier if they can explore different levels, and actually multiples the space available.

Mrs K