Loner hen

[Riggs Diggs]

I have a hen that was sick early on when she was a peep, she is recovered but has not really integrated with the rest of my flock. I put her in the coop every night after the others have gone to roost but she refuses to go in on her own. She avoids the others during the day, preferring instead to stay by herself. I am by no means a beginner at keeping chickens, I have had my flock for nearly 12 years. I have however completely run out of ideas on how to get her to join the group. I'm worried that if she is not accepted by winter she will not make it through the cold months. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do any of the others pick at her? She might really prefer to be solo, if they're not bothering her and yet she chooses to not join them. You could get her a little coop of her own if that's the case (a prefab is fine for this) - she may be satisfied just seeing other chickens but not joining in.

 

[aart]

I have a hen that was sick early on when she was a peep, she is recovered but has not really integrated with the rest of my flock. I put her in the coop every night after the others have gone to roost but she refuses to go in on her own. She avoids the others during the day, preferring instead to stay by herself.

How old is she now?
Was she separated from her hatchmates while recovering from being sick?
I'm assuming you added several new chicks at once.

 

[Riggs Diggs]

How old is she now?
Was she separated from her hatchmates while recovering from being sick?
I'm assuming you added several new chicks at once.

She's about 5 months old now. She was out of the brooder for about a week but was re introduced with no problems. It wasn't until moving them into the big coop that the problem began. I don't see her being picked on by the others she just seems to prefer to be by herself. It kinda makes me sad.

 

[aart]

Maybe she will join the gang after she starts laying.

 

[Riggs Diggs]

Maybe she will join the gang after she starts laying.

Fingers crossed