Intregrating

[MagpieDucks]

Hi there, is 10 weeks to young to integrate into a full size flock? BTW its only one chicken.

 

[Rod-T]

Is the 10 week living without heat.. ?
Is the coop warm?
If you got a decent coop.. I think it would be ok.. supervise make sure

 

[cafarmgirl]

Integrating a single new bird can be very difficult and very hard on the new bird. Personally I'd probably wait until she's a little older. Has she been penned next to the flock so they can start getting used to her while still separated by a fence? If not that's where I'd start, then add in the lowest ranking hen from the flock with her and see how things go, then add some more from the flock. Chickens can be brutal to newcomers and it's better to take it slow rather then just pop her in with them because once they get it in their heads to attack a single new bird they sometimes don't get over that mentality. I have integrated single new birds in the past, I won't do it anymore, much easier when it's two or three new birds.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Integrating a single new bird can be very difficult and very hard on the new bird. Personally I'd probably wait until she's a little older. Has she been penned next to the flock so they can start getting used to her while still separated by a fence? If not that's where I'd start, then add in the lowest ranking hen from the flock with her and see how things go, then add some more from the flock. Chickens can be brutal to newcomers and it's better to take it slow rather then just pop her in with them because once they get it in their heads to attack a single new bird they sometimes don't get over that mentality. I have integrated single new birds in the past, I won't do it anymore, much easier when it's two or three new birds.

How about if I do it at night and just pop her on the roost?

 

[MagpieDucks]

Is the 10 week living without heat.. ?
Is the coop warm?
If you got a decent coop.. I think it would be ok.. supervise make sure

Yes to both questions.

 

[Rod-T]

Yes to both questions.

can you put her in a cage during the day.. they may get to know her without hurting her..try that for few days

 

[cafarmgirl]

How about if I do it at night and just pop her on the roost?

You can try it, just make sure you are there to supervise before they get off the roost in the morning. If it works you are that much farther ahead. I will say I have tried that approach, it has never worked for me, especially with a small flock. If integrating several new birds into a larger flock, then yes. Chickens are smart enough to recognize a newcomer in the morning and it can go very badly for the new bird if they decide to attack.