Lonely hen and new chicks - how and when to bring them together

[pdxchickgirl111]

A couple of days ago one of our two Blue Andalusians died suddenly. The remaining hen is distraught, of course, but seems to be handling it all right. We've put a stuffed bird in the spot where her "sister" used to sleep, and that seems to bring her some comfort, but she's still awful lonely. She's taken to crowing like a rooster a lot.

Meantime, we went and bought 3 new chicks, a few days old. Two are Blue Laced Red Wyandottes and one is New Hampshire Red. We debated buying some grown pullets, but we're wary of birds grown in someone else's coop (diseases, etc.) so decided on the chicks instead. We have heard various different opinions on when and how you can introduce them to the adult, especially if the hen never goes broody. Any thoughts/experience on this?

Also, any advice on cheering up our lonely girl until the babies are ready to meet her?

 

[Gofygure]

If you can, keep the chicks within her sight once they are old enough to go outside. Adjoining runs are perfect for this. Don't try to confine them together until the chicks are 10+ weeks old, but seeing other birds will be good for her and give her something to think about. It will also give them time to adapt to each other before formal "introductions" are made.

The loneliness is difficult to combat without another chicken. Keep her active and secure and visit her often. Human interaction is better than no interaction, after all. Purchasing birds from an outside source is nerve-wracking, but in this case I would consider finding a trustworthy source and buying her a companion. Two months alone is a long time for a chicken.

 

[pdxchickgirl111]

Our babies are getting bigger by the second, and we think they'll be ready to integrate in a couple weeks. But I'm worried that if we put them in with the hen, will they get into her oyster shell (we give it to her free choice)? Or will they have no interest in it? I know it can be bad for hens who are not laying yet, how is this usually handled when integrating flocks? Seems to be the consensus on the forum that you shouldn't let them have it, but not much information on how you prevent it. We've never combined different ages before, so want to make sure we do it properly.

 

[Den in Penn]

Non laying birds have little interest in oyster shells. The oyster shell is usually served in a separate container. They may investigate, but they shouldn't eat enough to harm themselves. The chicks are about 6 or 7 weeks old now. With only one older hen to integrate you should be able to begin soon. Have you had them where they could see each other? If you have you could start by letting the free range together. If you don't free range a supervised mingling in the run to see how they are getting along is another option. Or there is always throwing them together and just letting them sort it out. Many options You just have to use the one that's right for you.

 

[pdxchickgirl111]

That's kind of what I was hoping, that without the natural craving for calcium they won't have interest in the oyster shell. Will keep an eye on it though. We have had them in an adjacent temporary coop, so they can see each other, but neither the hen nor the chicks seem very interested in the other. We're hoping that it will be a smooth transition. I'm also hoping that she's lonely enough that she won't put up much of a fuss. Will try the free ranging though, that may be better than confining them all in the coop together to start. Thank you!