Integrating one hen into a small flock

[peachesperry]

Hi,

So unfortunately to make a long story short, I have to integrate a single pullet (Buff Orpington named Sunshine) into an establish flock of three hens I rehome her. I’d rather not rehome, thus it begs the question of how.

I’ve seen other threads, but it seems like people had much larger flocks than mine. Do the same rules apply?

Thank you so much!

Peaches

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old is the pullet?
Do you have quite a bit of space in your coop/run and places she can hide or get out of the way of the adults?

I'd try going with a see but don't touch method. Even with that, you likely will have some drama.

If she's very young, then I would let her grow up before putting her in with hens, but you can still house her next to the older ones so they can see her and get used to her presence.

 

[peachesperry]

How old is the pullet?
Do you have quite a bit of space in your coop/run and places she can hide or get out of the way of the adults?

How old is the pullet?
Do you have quite a bit of space in your coop/run and places she can hide or get out of the way of the adults?

I'd try going with a see but don't touch method. Even with that, you likely will have some drama.

If she's very young, then I would let her grow up before putting her in with hens, but you can still house her next to the older ones so they can see her and get used to her presence.

She is 13 weeks old. My hens free range in my backyard which is about 1700 square feet. The coop isn’t huge but my hens only really go in there at dusk and bolt out when the auto door opens in the morning.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can try at that age to see if they will allow her to roam with them. You may have issues at dusk when everyone goes inside though.

 

[peachesperry]

You can try at that age to see if they will allow her to roam with them. You may have issues at dusk when everyone goes inside though.

Right, do you think I could let her out and then see what happens?

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes you can let her out and see what happens...sometimes it works great...just not real often.

What I would do, is lock the others out of the coop, lock her in there. At dark, take her out and put in a temporary place like a dog crate, let the others in to roost.

Next day repeat. This allows her to explore the area and get some territorial rights. Feed along the fence line. This is basically see, but no touch, but without building.

Third day, let them all out in the yard. Do have feed in a couple different places, so that a bird eating at one place, can't see birds at another.

I would expect her to follow them back to the coop at night. But as she is younger, not laying and smaller - she probably is not going to be tolerated on the roost.

I always worry a bit when people talk about small flocks, and coops that they are in only in the night, that there might not be enough room.

Mrs K

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Right, do you think I could let her out and then see what happens?

Read what @Mrs. K posted. Very good!

I agree. See what happens. Letting her explore the coop while the others are out roaming is always a good idea, this way she's familiar with the surroundings. She's quite young still remember that.

The hens may allow/tolerate her to follow at a distance while they are roaming as well, but they are not necessarily going to welcome her to join them.

Room in coops are often one of the best things, so if the coop is tight quarters, then it's going to take time for the adults to accept that she's going to "live" with them.

Yes you can let her out and see what happens...sometimes it works great...just not real often.

What I would do, is lock the others out of the coop, lock her in there. At dark, take her out and put in a temporary place like a dog crate, let the others in to roost.

Next day repeat. This allows her to explore the area and get some territorial rights. Feed along the fence line. This is basically see, but no touch, but without building.

Third day, let them all out in the yard. Do have feed in a couple different places, so that a bird eating at one place, can't see birds at another.

I would expect her to follow them back to the coop at night. But as she is younger, not laying and smaller - she probably is not going to be tolerated on the roost.

I always worry a bit when people talk about small flocks, and coops that they are in only in the night, that there might not be enough room.

Mrs K