Introducing new chicken

[terimay]

One of my girls was attacked and killed by the neighbors dog, it wasn't the dogs fault, it is its nature, he dug a hole under the fence and got in while they were roaming free around the yard. Anyway, even though I told them not to, they went out and got me a new pullet...I put her in her own space to make sure she was ok, but now I am trying to introduce her to the other two girls and she is so scared of them, she won't go anywhere near them. I still have her in her own coop at night, but I'd like to put her with the other two girls. Do I just plop her in there and hope for the best? I am scared she is going to get beat up or that she'll be so scared she'll hurt herself. What to do?

 

[TimBaumann]

Sorry about your chicken! My own dog killed my very first 4 chicken a while back. It was my fault and I'm still mad at my self! I'm going through the same thing right now as well! I recently bought 3 new hens but my roo hates them. Sadly I have no advise because this is my first time introducing new chicken as well!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Try putting her in a pet carrier or dog kennel in their chicken run so they can get used to the sight of one another. You can also let them mingle with your supervision to see how things are going. When she starts feeling more comfortable and you decide to put her in the coop, try placing her on the perch after dusk when they are sleeping. They will wake up in the morning with her there, and in theory this should cut down on the confrontation. They will probably chase her some still and she will be at the bottom of the pecking order. Just make sure she is not always chased away from the food and water.

 

[terimay]

Thanks for the help, but she didn't make it, I think a raccoon got her, the second coop was built on the fly when I got her and I guess it wasn't very predator proof. I am going to try again in the spring.