Lonely Hen

[HereChickChickChick88]

We have a group of 3 hens. Wanted to get multiple coops and keep small multiple flocks (they all free range together but they all roost in their designated coop at night) in order to keep a steady flow of eggs over the years. So we bought 3 more the following year and, long story short, we lost 1 of that group to a hawk and one had to be placed elsewhere due to aggression. So now I have one group of the original 3 hens and 1 lonely hen. Sooooo, in good faith but perhaps also stupidity, my daughter and I hatched a few backyard bantam mix chicks and raised them until they were 7 weeks old and placed them in the coop with the single hen. They don't "get along" but they don't fight. The grown hen is timid and the chicks are confused (it's morning one - placed the chicks in the coop last night). Has anyone ever seen this work? I'm just worried about her b/c I know they are social animals and I hated seeing her singled out. I hope they integrate together. I have the older hen free ranging now and kept the chicks in the coop for their safety as they grow and also for them to establish their "home." Any thoughts?

 

[Lauren Kim]

Placing a fully grown hen in the same coop with the little ones was a bad idea in the first place. If there are too many little chicks, the hen might feel intimidated. Then, the hen will try to bully the chicks.

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

Placing a fully grown hen in the same coop with the little ones was a bad idea in the first place. If there are too many little chicks, the hen might feel intimidated. Then, the hen will try to bully the chicks.

Understandable - my intentions were for them to become her "flock" since she lost hers. The other 3 hens aren't accepting her and I feel she may be lonely - I want a happy hen. Any suggestions to "fix" this problem? I read places that they will "get used" to each other and neither the chicks (2) nor the hen seem upset but I can understand your point of it becoming that way. They really only roost together at this point - out at dawn, in at dusk. I appreciate you taking the time to respond - what would you do is this situation? Just get these two chicks a separate pen and leave this chicken isolated? Will she be okay? These are genuine questions - these are my pets with the perk of eggs, not egg supply with the perk of being pets. My end goal was for them to be homies. May not be feasible...

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

Understandable - my intentions were for them to become her "flock" since she lost hers. The other 3 hens aren't accepting her and I feel she may be lonely - I want a happy hen. Any suggestions to "fix" this problem? I read places that they will "get used" to each other and neither the chicks (2) nor the hen seem upset but I can understand your point of it becoming that way. They really only roost together at this point - out at dawn, in at dusk. I appreciate you taking the time to respond - what would you do is this situation? Just get these two chicks a separate pen and leave this chicken isolated? Will she be okay? These are genuine questions - these are my pets with the perk of eggs, not egg supply with the perk of being pets. My end goal was for them to be homies. May not be feasible...

Also, the hen is only about 5 months old.

 

[Zoomie]

They will probably get along fine. My general rule is, give it two weeks. (As long as I don't see terrible battles with lots of blood drawn!!!) It is normal for them to squabble a bit and watch each other and try and figure out their pecking order. That can take a week or so. In the meantime make sure no one is getting cut off from the water supply or the food... I've put in two feeders and waterers, one at one end and one at the other, when I first introduce new birds. I make sure there are barriers - say, milk crates or just anything to break up the line of sight, so that a new bird can hide if it needs to.

Also, just for future reference: a hen is a female chicken that is at least one year old. What you have there is a pullet. That confused me for a minute, until you explained the age. I could not understand why a hen did not bully the chicks! LOL!!

I think it can work out just fine. Try not to worry too much.

 

[HereChickChickChick88]

They will probably get along fine. My general rule is, give it two weeks. (As long as I don't see terrible battles with lots of blood drawn!!!) It is normal for them to squabble a bit and watch each other and try and figure out their pecking order. That can take a week or so. In the meantime make sure no one is getting cut off from the water supply or the food... I've put in two feeders and waterers, one at one end and one at the other, when I first introduce new birds. I make sure there are barriers - say, milk crates or just anything to break up the line of sight, so that a new bird can hide if it needs to.

Also, just for future reference: a hen is a female chicken that is at least one year old. What you have there is a pullet. That confused me for a minute, until you explained the age. I could not understand why a hen did not bully the chicks! LOL!!

I think it can work out just fine. Try not to worry too much.

Thank you - they are getting along great so far. In fact, the pullet (thanks for the correction - I thought a hen was laying age and she's rapidly approaching) didn't want to leave the chicks to come out and free range alone so in the coop she stays with the little ones. They share the food and water just fine - she seems happy to have some company - hated seeing her lonely. I appreciate your time and advice! Thanks again!

 

[Petra Pancake]

Well, good that it worked, then. I think sometimes chickens are more flexible and adaptable than we give them credit for.
Probably it is no longer relevant - but what you could have done instead: Take the friendliest hen/pullet out of the group of the original 3 and place her with the lonely hen so that they can become friends. That way you would have had 2 pairs of "friends". After a few weeks you could have tried to put the 2 pairs back together to make a flock of 4. That would then have been easier and more "fair" - 2 on 2 - instead of putting 1 in with 3 "strangers".

 

[aart]

There's really no hard a fast 'rules'...every situation is different.
The keeper must decide what is working and what is not by understanding chicken society and behaviors. Observation, flexibility, and adjustments can make just about anything work out. Good Job @HereChickChickChick88!