Little miss independence

[Moonwspr]

I have a new hen in my flock (only survivor of a hatching) she hasn't started laying yet and when I let the flock free range she doesn't stay with the group and often wanders into the woods/swamp and gets lost. Is there any way to teach/encourage her to stay with the flock? She has been with them since early July.

 

[aart]

Young birds often stay apart from main flock until they reach onset of lay, then they may join the crowd.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Each flock is different and you can always have exceptions with living animals but what is typical with mine is that the chicks get pecked if they invade the personal space of the hens. It usually doesn't take long for them to learn to avoid the adults. They can panic if an adult even walks to them. They stay separate until the pullets start to lay, then they join the adult pecking order.

You have a single chicken, that can make integration even more challenging than usual. And you might be more likely to see an exception. But don't be surprised if she stays separate until she starts to lay. It's what I'd expect.

Good luck!