Integrating one hen to my 3 hens

[a1n1g1u1s]

I have 3 hens, all most 2 years age. I got another hen same age. I have divided both my coop and run for the new hen. They all can see each other inside and outside. How long should I keep this set up? What are the signs to put her with the others? And what are the signs that once together it’s not going well, like little fights, or big fights? . It’s cold and the single girl has no one to snuggle with at night.

 

[townchicks]

It can take a few days or a few weeks. I wait until the flock are not paying any attention to the new girl. When you let her out into the run, scatter some scratch or sunflower seeds to distract them all. Chasing her is normal, but if they are constantly hounding her, jumping on her, Pecking to the point of blood then separate again. Make sure you have multiple feed and water stations, and places where she can get out of their sight, but can't be trapped. Some people have good luck putting the new girl in the coop after dark, so they all wake up together.

 

[aart]

It’s cold and the single girl has no one to snuggle with at night.

How cold?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

How long should I keep this set up? What are the signs to put her with the others? And what are the signs that once together it’s not going well, like little fights, or big fights?

Integrating a single bird is the most difficult integration.
This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/
As might these tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[a1n1g1u1s]

How cold?
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3717967


Integrating a single bird is the most difficult integration.
This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/
As might these tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thanks!
I will add location too. I’m in Northern Wyoming

 

[a1n1g1u1s]

It can take a few days or a few weeks. I wait until the flock are not paying any attention to the new girl. When you let her out into the run, scatter some scratch or sunflower seeds to distract them all. Chasing her is normal, but if they are constantly hounding her, jumping on her, Pecking to the point of blood then separate again. Make sure you have multiple feed and water stations, and places where she can get out of their sight, but can't be trapped. Some people have good luck putting the new girl in the coop after dark, so they all wake up together.

Thank you

 

[Mrs. K]

Try introducing just one bird to her, or letting her out to free range with just one bird. One on one is better than 3 to 1.

 

[a1n1g1u1s]

Try introducing just one bird to her, or letting her out to free range with just one bird. One on one is better than 3 to 1.

Yes, actually that just happened yesterday, accidentally, one of the low in the pecking order chicken got in with the new gal. And they acted like besties! no issues. So let them hang out all day.

 

[Mrs. K]

Wait one or two more days, and I think you will be golden.