lost a hen, need some advise.

[kimberley848]

I just had an 8yr old hen pass away while on the way to the vet , so that leaves me with another 8yr old and a 3yr old who is currently raising three, 3 week old chicks. (Cream Legbar, so I know they're female). My issue now is that Gabby, my lone older girl is by herself in my main coop, while Lacey and chicks are in the "nursery". (The nursery, 80 sf is in one corner of the main run/coop area, which is 300 sf so they have been "next" to each other a lot.) At what point can I integrate them all together? When she's weaning them? At that point, I'd like to open the nursery door and leave it open for them to wander in the main run area with the 2 adult hens, leaving the nursery door open. Gabby doesn't act interested in the chicks at all, although she's staying near the nursery since losing her best buddy (& while the other was sick). I thought about letting them all integrate now as neither of the adult girls are aggressive, (the one who passed was the number one hen and sometimes aggressive), but I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. I could really use some advise please!!!

 

[casportpony]

@centrarchid, what do you think?

 

[chrissynemetz]

I'm sorry about your hen passing away.
I would give it a try and see how the lone older lady does. Just watch them for a while to see how she reacts to the chicks.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yep, that is what I would do too, asap. A single bird, might take a peck or two, but the chicks should easily out run a 8year old bird, and if their mother is still a bit broody, it is better. I really would not expect much fracas.

 

[kimberley848]

I'm sorry about your hen passing away.
I would give it a try and see how the lone older lady does. Just watch them for a while to see how she reacts to the chicks.

Thank you so much for your condolences and answering. Now just to be sure, you think it might work if I try it opening their door now, or wait until they're weaning?

 

[kimberley848]

Yep, that is what I would do too, asap. A single bird, might take a peck or two, but the chicks should easily out run a 8year old bird, and if their mother is still a bit broody, it is better. I really would not expect much fracas.

Thank you for answering and helping me out! After watching them, which I've been doing a lot anyway, I've been a bit more concerned about the mama going after my old gal. But she doesn't seem to mind if the chicks are near the fence near Gabby either, which is why I thought it might work. So just to be sure, you think it might be okay to open the door now instead of waiting?

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, I find the earlier you mix different ages, the better, and the easier it goes. I would try it and see. I would expect almost no problems. Do it in the late afternoon. Add some delightful treats, spread the treats around, sit out there with glass of ice tea, and watch. But an occasional peck, whereas the chick squeaks and runs away is perfectly fine and normal behavior, ignore that. If the old biddy gets one corners and proceeds to peck the living daylights out, pull the old biddy out.

Owning territory is a big thing in the chicken world. A trick I have used very successfully, is to have them trade places. So put the chicks where you have the older bird, put the older bird where you have the chicks, this lets the chicks explore a bit, then in the late afternoon, put them all together.

I would expect this to go fine.

Mrs K

 

[chrissynemetz]

I think I would do it now. Let us know how it goes with them.

 

[centrarchid]

I am not needed here.

 

[kimberley848]

Okay, I went out and opened up everything and everyone is exploring the run with no issues yet. The older hen has an old leg injury, so she doesn't wander too much and is hanging out in a different area, within eyesight. They generally have free run of my backyard and garden, but that door will have to stay shut until the chicks are larger because of my cats and dogs. (They don't mess with the adults hens, but chicks look like fun). I'm kind of interested to see which coop the mama takes everyone to tonight. Thank you so much for all the great advise! I'll let you know how tonight and tomorrow goes!