Introducing new hen

[Jessielynn21]

I am taking in a hen from a family member and need a little advice. My sister in law got chicks from a neighbor last spring and ended up with 7 roosters and one hen. She's decided to get rid of the roosters and asked if I'd take the hen. I'm happy to add her to my flock, I'm just needing a little guidance.
My chickens freerange my back yard. I have a fenced garden area I can put the new hen in during the day that they can all see, but can't get to. My problem is roosting at night, I have a pretty small coop. I don't have another spot I can really put her at night and it's very cold where I'm at, I know the little coop is the warmest spot. Do I just go with it and let her be up in the nesting boxes instead of the roost until they all like her? I'm willing to take her in and out every morning and evening so they don't bug her in the boxes. I'll take any advice. Thanks!

Just for context, I currently have 5 hens, all just about 4 years old. This new hen is one year old.

 

[DobieLover]

I would continue to have her out in her enclosure around your hens all day long for at least 7 days and bring her into your garage or some other secured, weather protected area at night. After a week, let her out with the flock during the day then bring her back into a secured area at night. She may try to follow them into the coop to roost at night. See what happens. If she hunkers down in a nest box then you'll just have to go out first thing in the morning to clean out that box daily. If nothing else, you'll want to let the flock out so they won't pummel her. Get out there to release them before they come off the roosts.

If there is enough roost space for everyone (~1 linear foot per bird), she will eventually roost with them. Be patient. She might integrate quickly or it may take months.

 

[Jessielynn21]

Thanks! I’ve just been a little worried about introducing her, it’s just so cold and my girls all like huddle on cold days. I’m worried about her being by herself and my garage gets so cold at night. She might sleep in my mud room for a minute. Once it warms up must a smidge more I’ll bring her home and start introducing her.

 

[DobieLover]

it’s just so cold and my girls all like huddle on cold days.

Define cold.

 

[Mrs. K]

Instead of introducing 1 bird to 5 in an established flock, which is pretty much a recipe for a wreck. Everyone knows she is the stranger, she knows she is the stranger and it does not go well.

Lock her in the coop, and lock everyone else out. This lets her explore, without being chased. Put her in a cardboard box or dog crate at night.

Day 2-3 put her in the little garden fence - feed along the fence. Back to the crate at night.

Day 4-5 - add ONE of the original birds to her in the garden fence. Try to get the middle bird, not the lowest or highest of the group. Now there will be bluster, and feathers will fly, but it is one on one (not 5 on one) and it should settle fairly quickly. Keep them together a couple of days. The original can still roost with her sisters.

Now a day that you can supervise, let all six birds out together to free range. This might be all it takes, and she will follow them back to the coop. Golden

However, often times, there will be one or two of the original birds that just won't let this work, and are quite heartless - if so - they go to the little garden fence. Generally there are two leaders and the rest are follower. Pull the leaders and followers will almost always relax. At night, put the mean birds in the crate or box. Keep them separate for a week - try again.

Order pin less peepers, if they won't give up.

Mrs K

 

[McChooky]

It took 2 weeks to get my flock to let a wyandotte hen loose in the run with them during the day. I locked her up in attached coop until they let her roost with them at night. It took about 4-6 weeks start to finish but they're thick as thieves today