Neighbor Chicken will not leave

[Aunt Angus]

If nothing else, yours is an interesting study of chicken behavior. I imagine that's how it might happen if chickens were out in the wild.

 

[Col1948]

I would take her in, put her on the roost when it goes dark, there may be the odd squabble but as long as there is no blood then she will be accepted soon.

 

[lverner]

Maybe she will just follow them into the coop one night. If she goes into the run again, might you be able to get her then? I think it'd be very kind of you to let her join your flock. She is probably lonely and in desperate need of safety.

She went in last night. I think tonight we'll let our girls out and see how it goes when they start heading towards the coop. I feel bad for her because you can just tell she needs to be with a flock. I think her flock is no longer around.

 

[lverner]

If nothing else, yours is an interesting study of chicken behavior. I imagine that's how it might happen if chickens were out in the wild.

It is interesting for sure! I think the same way...what would happen if. We'll see how it goes tonight. I think we just gained a new flock member.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I wouldn't mess with trying a separate coop.
Don't you'll have a day off work?
If she follows yours into the run I'd just let her then lock them up. If you have a morning free do it the night before so you can monitor the next morning.
Just me but I'd let follow into the run. Shut her in and then put her on the roost and then in morning when they start stirring observe to make sure they're not to mean to her. Then I'd let them all out and I'd bet that evening they would all roost together. May be a bit of squabbles over exact spots on the roost but no biggie.

 

[lverner]

I wouldn't mess with trying a separate coop.
Don't you'll have a day off work?
If she follows yours into the run I'd just let her then lock them up. If you have a morning free do it the night before so you can monitor the next morning.
Just me but I'd let follow into the run. Shut her in and then put her on the roost and then in morning when they start stirring observe to make sure they're not to mean to her. Then I'd let them all out and I'd bet that evening they would all roost together. May be a bit of squabbles over exact spots on the roost but no biggie.

She tried last night then I think got nervous when one of the girls ran at her. I think my plan tonight is to let them all out and if she goes in, we'll shut the door to the run and see what happens from there. It's interesting to watch her because she's pretty darn brave for a little thing. She wasn't going to fight but she wasn't giving up. It felt a little desperate. I worried about her all night out there on top of the run. Will update this thread tonight!!!!!

 

[lverner]

Thanks everyone for your input! She was pretty determined to get into the coop last night but it wasn't quite right. For her to sleep outside on top of the run and hanging close to the run this morning, she isn't going anywhere anytime soon. We'll let the girls out tonight, let them mingle and if she goes into the run again, we'll shut the door to the run and I'm sure she'll figure it out. She's made it this long!

 

[path.otto]

I took in my neighbor's chicken (I know you don't really know where this one came from) and it has worked out great! It took a long time for my flock to accept her, she roosted in a crate in our garage for about 9 months. She has become my favorite chicken. She is a 6-year-old white Ameraucauna and gives us a lovely big blue egg every other day! Hope keeping her works out for you!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks for the update! I do hope it works out!

 

[lverner]

Ok so we found her 'owners. They don't care (obvious because they don't even know if the rest of the flock is still around). They can't be around with the way she's hanging over here. So the girls are intermingling; our girls are chasing after her a little, not real aggressively. She isn't going anywhere. We are going to lock her in the run when it's time and hope for the best in the a.m.!!!!!