Introduction of New Hen to Flock

[dadamato]

Some of you may have been reading my posts about trying to capture chickens in frigid temperatures. We did capture all of them now. There was one hen who was not part of the flock. We have put her in a separate dog cage with food, water, perch and hay. She does not appear to be injured but believe she has had her wings clipped because she can only fly very little. She is not eating or drinking and is hiding in the hay slab. Since we don't know much about chickens, do you think she may be better off with the others ones (2 roosters, 4 hens who all are part of the same flock). If so, not sure how to introduce her. We only have so much room in the coop and don't want to do anything to that will result in any of them getting free again. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[azygous]

Here's an article written especially for your circumstances. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

 

[dadamato]

Here's an article written especially for your circumstances. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

Awesome. Thank you!

 

[Mtnboomer]

Most chicken breeds don't fly well so do not need their wings clipped. She will definitely benefit from being part of a flock but there will be some squabbles over what her rank will be.
If it were me, it sounds like you obviously won't be free ranging the birds, so i would put her in a dog kennel inside your run for about a week. This should help the others get acquainted and reduce the stranger sentiment without risk of injury. Upon release there will be some arguments for a few days but they should be short lived and less severe.

 

[dadamato]

Thank you. I will try this. We are also trying to get a new coop to replace the temporary one we just put up to protect them from predators. She seems to be doing okay so far by herself but agree she needs other chickens. I'll keep you posted on our progress. And funny...the other chicken who we finally captured last Friday night can fly like a hawk. I had no idea chickens could fly that high or far, so her wings are definitely NOT clipped. Thanks again.