Need Advice - Adding just 1 chicken to a flock?

[Lovem all]

100% possible let the new one be in a see not touch area and they will be fine. Then when you feel ready let the new chicka with you duet. Remember the pecking order isn't as scary looking as you think. I've done this dozens of times and it works like a charm.

 

[galaga6846]

I took in a chicken from a friend who had her whole flock wiped out by raccoons except for the one. I will be honest- introducing her was tough. I did the crate route where she was in a crate in their run and could see each other for a few weeks. They have since accepted her after a fair amount of scuffling. The issue I find now is that my other 4 are bonded and hang out together. This one girl is a loner and doesn’t really hang around them. It makes me kind of sad but the alternative was her staying where she was & wAiting for a raccoon to come and get her. Everything I read said not to introduce one, but it is possible. You just have to be ready to intervene should the one get injured. With only 2 other chickens, there are less to worry about so as long as you keep an eye out and introduce slowly I think you’d be fine!

I'm in the same boat. I took in the some survivor of a predator attack. My four hens are bonded. They dust bathe together and are very best friends. The misfit hen is currently in quarantine, and I'm really worried about her being rejected. How are things going now? Is she still a misfit or have they started to accept her?

 

[Northernskies]

This makes me think of @bobbi-j 's saying: "chickens aren't the brightest animals on this planet, but they're not that stupid."

Adding to a small flock can work great... or be disastrous.
One of the biggest problems is small flocks usual have small spaces and space is the number one thing to help integrations go smoother.

Lots of ways to integrate, always have a Plan B in case things get ugly.
Here's some tips about......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

I think this is great advice.
Space is key.
Im in the middle of a tough integration. My old solo hen is NOT accepting her new friend. She did accept a friend easily last summer, so you just don’t know. But here i am in the middle of first 6° night temps and now days of rain that mean nobody wants to be anywhere but in the small coop. But that cant occur without violence.
Old chicken is eating massive amounts suddenly too. And become bossy to me about cleaning HER coop. She’s like a tyrant.

I just wish I hadnt started this mid winter when the outside space options are limited and hiding places are also.
(I demoted old chicken to the dog crate yesterday and she now squats for me today (vs puffing her chest)… hoping were getting somewhere.)

 

[Iluveggers]

You could also look into getting 2 bantams to integrate. Orpington bantams can run 2-3 lbs. I personally would do 2 if you can, just so your new girl isn’t an outcast since the other two are already bonded! You could also do two more Easter Eggers since you know that size will work for you!