Lonely chicken

[MyHeadIsRed]

We lost all of our chickens, but one, to cocciadosis. She has been out in the coop alone for almost a month. Speedy is 15 weeks and 4 days old. We have 15 new chicks, still in the brooder inside. They are 5.5 weeks old.
We introduced them once, so far, and all went well. Speedy went around and gave each one a gentle peck on the top of the head. Almost like she was counting them. LOL She did try to take away anything they dug up, but not aggressively.

My question is, what is the quickest way to get them all in the coop together. Is it less of an issue because there is only one chicken and not a whole flock? Can I chance it and put them together without further acclimating them?
They are getting scrunchy in their brooder and I really want them to be able to be comfy in the coop with Speedy.

 

[donrae]

I'd go ahead and put them all together. With that many littles, she's not going to gang up on any specific bird.

 

[MyHeadIsRed]

That is great news! They are going to be extremely happy girls tomorrow.

 

[aart]

Did they meet in the coop before, or outside?
Sounds like they did pretty well, Speedy was probably glad for the company.
Tings might go differently in the coop due to increases territoriality, but maybe not.
Did Speedy defend the food/waterer?

 

[MyHeadIsRed]

They met once outside in the yard. She has not tried to keep them from the water or food. She did try to keep them on one corner of the run. LOL It was pretty funny. She was not aggressive, but when one would wander out of the corner she would casually walk them back over. Haha.
I think she was pretty lonely and though they bother her a small bit, she isn't being hostile, that we have seen.
Hope all is well in the coop when we let them out in the morning. Last check, Speedy was roosting in her usual spot at the top of the slanted ladder, and the littles were all tucked in on the floor, except for a brave one roosting, for the first time.

 

[aart]

They met once outside in the yard. She has not tried to keep them from the water or food. She did try to keep them on one corner of the run. LOL It was pretty funny. She was not aggressive, but when one would wander out of the corner she would casually walk them back over. Haha.
I think she was pretty lonely and though they bother her a small bit, she isn't being hostile, that we have seen.
Hope all is well in the coop when we let them out in the morning. Last check, Speedy was roosting in her usual spot at the top of the slanted ladder, and the littles were all tucked in on the floor, except for a brave one roosting, for the first time.

Sounds good....the numbers and that she is alone make a big difference I think.
Will be interesting to see how it goes.

 

[MyHeadIsRed]

Yesterday she was eating with them inside the coop. This morning, she appears to have been keeping them in a corner, inside the coop.
Should I worry that they aren't getting food, or will they get food when they need it?
She isn't doing anything physical, except walking in front of them.

 

[aart]

Yesterday she was eating with them inside the coop. This morning, she appears to have been keeping them in a corner, inside the coop.
Should I worry that they aren't getting food, or will they get food when they need it?
She isn't doing anything physical, except walking in front of them.

Multiple feed/water stations is always a good idea when integrating...I'd put another one in that corner.

Maybe section off that corner, and a maybe even a space big enough for all the chicks, with mesh and a door that only the youngers can fit thru.