Introducing 1 to 1

[LLL]

Hi -- I have only 1 Easter Egger (lost RIR to predator) and tomorrow I am getting a young adult Rhode Island Red that has been laying for about 5 weeks. Would you suggest I quarantine for 4 weeks before they can be together? I also have 1 month old chicks that I was going to introduce in a couple of weeks. Looking to get the EE some company because she's been alone for almost 3 months. Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

[Matt119911]

Yeah watch closely tho when you introduce them

 

[Mrs. K]

With only a single bird to risk, if you are confident where you are getting the bird, I would not do the 1 month quarantine. Most people are not able to be set up to do quarantine, and if you are not, you are just pretending. I would just add the bird.

 

[LLL]

Thank you.

 

[LLL]

Well I bought the RIR but she had a bare patch on her back as she was housed with roosters and about 50 other chickens. I introduced her to the EE that I have and I have to say it has not gone well. The EE does not want her to eat and pecks at her. She kicked her out of the coop a few times and when I looked in the coop in the morning there were several tail feathers in there. I was told that when this behavior happens that they might never get along. Even though it's only been a day we have separated them as I can't stand to see the RIR suffer anymore. I'm contemplating giving them to a good home if I can find one. If anyone has any thoughts I'd appreciate it.

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens hate change. And the EE has been alone for quite a while. Many people on here do a see but can't touch for as long as two weeks. Feeding along the fence that separates them can be a good idea too.

A lot depends on your set up, and space. I have a lot of hide outs, mini walls, just pallets leaned up against a wall, or in a corner. Make sure every hideout has two exits so as not to create a trap. Setting a pallet up on cement blocks will allow a smaller bird to eat in peace, or slow down a bigger bird in the chase. If birds can get out of sight, it helps.

A roost in the run can help too. Things that allow birds to get away from each other and take a break.

I will admit, that some don't ever get over it, but most of the time they do. However, if you don't like this, send them on to someone else is a reasonable decision.

Mrs K

 

[LLL]

Chickens hate change. And the EE has been alone for quite a while. Many people on here do a see but can't touch for as long as two weeks. Feeding along the fence that separates them can be a good idea too.

A lot depends on your set up, and space. I have a lot of hide outs, mini walls, just pallets leaned up against a wall, or in a corner. Make sure every hideout has two exits so as not to create a trap. Setting a pallet up on cement blocks will allow a smaller bird to eat in peace, or slow down a bigger bird in the chase. If birds can get out of sight, it helps.

A roost in the run can help too. Things that allow birds to get away from each other and take a break.

I will admit, that some don't ever get over it, but most of the time they do. However, if you don't like this, send them on to someone else is a reasonable decision.

Mrs K

Thank you Mrs. K!