Just found new hen.

[henplusrooster]

Yesterday, I found a 2-4 month hen in a bush at a church I live right across from. It is a black and white polish hen. I put up some signs yesterday saying found hen. But if no one picks it up I'm leaving it at my house. So how do i get my hens and rooster to not be mean to her. I have 3 hens and they are all about 1 year old. And I have one polish rooster that is about one year old. How should I introduce them.

 

[FlyWheel]

Put her in with the rest of your chickens in a separate enclosure so they can see each other but not physically interact. Large dog travel cages work great for this. It will give everyone a chance to acquaint themselves without any blood shed. Once the initial curiosity dies off you can let her out. They're will be a little pecking as they work out their new rank and file but this should be brief and they'll get along fine.

This worked great when I introduced my new flock to the older hens.

 

[Akrnaf2]

Don't forget to quarantine.

 

[Mrs. K]

A single bird is a tough integration. She has no friends, and all see her as the stranger. The above poster, added a flock, which means the pecking was spread out over more birds.

I would start with the separation, but not for too long. I would add one bird to her but not in the dog crate...way too small. I would turn out the original flock into the yard, put the new bird in your run with a middle bird, and leave them there for the day. This will allow her to adapt to the new surroundings without being attacked by the whole flock, find the hide outs, the water and feed. If you can hold food from them so they are hungry, and feed along the run fence line. This makes them eat close together but safely.

If you are worried about eggs, put a temporary nest near where the birds would go back into the coop or run. Do not let the birds into the set up, till it is nearly dark. The original flock should go almost straight to roost. Might be a few fights, but unless blood, let it go.

The next morning, all might be fine. If so it would be good to let them out the same way as the day before, and then it should be a go. If there is one or two of the original that are very mean, lock them up, letting the new one work with a smaller more friendly group.

It is a lot of messing around to add one bird. Adding a pair is better, adding a bunch is best. But eventually it will go as long as you have enough room to add chickens, some obstacles and hide outs in the run, and a couple of feed stations and waterers.

M

 

[aart]

I'd be sure 'she' is really a she first.