Lost all of our chickens except 1. How to introduce her to new chickens

[jen99ag]

We came home Friday to a massacre in our coop - we and our 3 kids were devastated. A stray dog got in and killed all (8) but 1. She was in shock and injured, but she seems to be improving every day. And I think she is going to recover. She's not quite a year old. We have 12 new chickens now in a brooder. We are just curious about introducing her to the new batch of chickies. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Labelles Velders]

If possible, keep the chicks in an area within eyesight of her, but so she is not able to hurt them for a couple weeks, and then put them in the coop with her at night. If that is not an option and/or she is very gentle and docile, you could sneak into the coop at night and just put them with her, although it is not advisable.

 

[DobieLover]

We came home Friday to a massacre in our coop - we and our 3 kids were devastated. A stray dog got in and killed all (8) but 1. She was in shock and injured, but she seems to be improving every day. And I think she is going to recover. She's not quite a year old. We have 12 new chickens now in a brooder. We are just curious about introducing her to the new batch of chickies. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

So sorry for your devastating loss.

Can we assume that you have properly predator proofed your coop and run so something else does not get at the new flock?

If you have taken care of your major security issue, it would be beneficial to brood your chicks in the coop in a way that the lone chicken can see them but not touch them and basically get to know them as they grow. When they are fully feathered, you can create an opening in their secure section of the coop that only they can fit through, but not the pullet. That way they can escape her if she pecks them too much.

If you can do this, she will have company and you will be able to integrate the new chicks with her much earlier with a lot less drama than when trying to integrate older birds.

 

[equine chick]

First of all so sorry for your loss.
I would wait until they are about her size. You can place her in a nearby pen and slowly acclimate her to the new babies. You might want to check on Craigslist to see if you can find her a couple friends after they are quarantined. Chickens need a buddy.

 

[jen99ag]

I am worried about her being lonely for sure. We have them separated in the garage for now so she can hear them but not see them. We are fixing the pen/coop prior to putting her back out there and wanted to make sure she was ok. She spent some supervised time out there today and seemed to be happy to be there.

 

[Mrs. K]

Create a safety zone where as the chicks can escape to safety. Week one, create a pen in the run, that the chicks can't get out, or the hen get in. Stick a shelter in there, such as a box or tote on its' side. At night take them in.

Week two, lift up the fence 4-6 inches off the ground. This will allow the chicks to explore the new area, but escape to safety if they are pecked. By lifting the fence a bit off the ground, they can get in anywhere. This allows the chicks and hen to work out a relationship on their terms, not on people terms. Mine stay pretty close to it for a day or two, and then later on, go a bit farther and farther.

By week three, you can take the pen out, they will all have it figured out.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Sorry for your loss...Yikes!

This is how I brood and integrate chicks,
there a couple links of how others do so that are a bit simpler to employ:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[jen99ag]

thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[dalasgalas]

I love the idea of a little chick tunnel for the babies to escape through. The poor lone chicken...at least she will have a new flock to join in the summer.