my flock won't be nice to the new hen

[lrichards]

I have a hen that I adopted because someone dropped off in my neighborhood. I am trying to get her introduced the the flock (4 hens, 1 rooster & 5 chicks that are 4 weeks old). None of the hens or rooster will let her out of the coop. They are fine if she is in the coop but if she comes out they tear into her. I don't have a way to seperate her. What should I do?

 

[kees]

If you take her out of the coop yourself, do the birds leave her alone?


Have you considered diverting the other birds' attention by putting out lots of special treats?

Is it possible to ask someone if there's a large enough cage that you can borrow for her when she needs to leave the coop? As an alternative, can you put up some of those fencing stakes and chicken wire so that the other chickens can get used to her slowly?

Let us know what works for you!

Suzy

 

[lrichards]

They will not leave her alone even if I take her out.

I will try distracting them tomarrow.

 

[chookchick]

The best thing to do would be to fence of part of the run so she can be visible to the flock, but safe, and leave her there for at least 2 weeks. By then they should accept her as part of the flock. If you can put her in the coop at night, that is good. If you can't do that, and she is safe in the coop, make sure she has access to food and water at all times, and let her be. It takes time for chickens to accept a new flock member. They are young, so hopefully it won't be so bad.

 

[ranchhand]

The hens and roo might feel like she is threatening the chicks. Can you separate her for a month, where thay call all see and hear each other?

That will give the chicks time to grow, and will help establish the recommended 30 day quarantine for new flock members, and give them all a chance to get aquainted. Just an idea, I know it wouldn't be easy!