Introducing additions to flock

[Phyllis7]

Hi, let me give you a little back story... previously I had two hens. They are 2 1/2 years old. Last month one of them became egg bound. I did all the suggestions and she passed it the following morning. I even followed it up with a vet visit just to double check. He said that he could treat her but it was no guarantee and that she could do it again. Last week, we found her in the coop dead. My husband and I were devastated. She was eating and drinking just fine. Anyhow, here's my real quandry... we don't want to just have one chicken, so we went to our feed store and got two 7 week old Buffs. That was the oldest chickens they had. My husband and I were hoping the one hen might take to them as her baby chicks. She doesn't seem interested so I'm not sure what else to do. Any advice would be great. I just want everyone to be happy.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

How is the hen behaving toward them? At 7 weeks old they are past weaning age so along with her not being broody that is not surprising.

 

[Phyllis7]

She has never been broody but she was the top chicken with her sister. With the newbies she is very vocal and she has only chased them twice. Other than that she stays on the other side of the yard.

 

[Pork Pie]

These links may help


http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224

I'd suggest taking ideas from any of them and adapting them to suit you and your set-up

 

[Phyllis7]

I perused all the articles last night. They were quite informative. I just wanted to make sure I was doing it properly. Thank you for the links to the articles.

These links may help


http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224

I'd suggest taking ideas from any of them and adapting them to suit you and your set-up

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Aw. Well I bet the two newbies are stuck to each other's sides like glue, right? So that makes them a little less likely to reach out and join her.

 

[Phyllis7]

Aw. Well I bet the two newbies are stuck to each other's sides like glue, right? So that makes them a little less likely to reach out and join her.

Ya they do not want to be separated. They have been snuggling a lot.

 

[aart]

Are they all going into the coop at night?
Newbies getting plenty to eat and drink?

 

[Phyllis7]

Are they all going into the coop at night?
Newbies getting plenty to eat and drink?

The little ones are being housed in an addition off the coop not with the older hen. They have their own food and water containers. I have created a run in the yard just for them and yesterday afternoon my hen was going up to it and laying next to it and pecking around the run at the grass.

 

[aart]

If that goes well for a few days, you could let the newbies out to range with the singleton.
They may follow her into the main coop.