Neighbor Chicken will not leave

[Col1948]

Not sure if I read it right on another thread, but I think it said the older hens will go to the high roost and keep the newer hen/s to the lower, thus kind of like the pecking order.
I may be wrong but whatever happens it looks like she is slowly working her way in and the older girls will soon get used to her and accept her as one of them.

 

[aart]

I think your plan is good.
The higher roost may become a bone of contention...or not.
Again, observation and adjustment and patience will win in the long run.

 

[lverner]

Not sure if I read it right on another thread, but I think it said the older hens will go to the high roost and keep the newer hen/s to the lower, thus kind of like the pecking order.
I may be wrong but whatever happens it looks like she is slowly working her way in and the older girls will soon get used to her and accept her as one of them.

Ok....yeah, I guess we'll have to keep thinking about that?

 

[lverner]

I think your plan is good.
The higher roost may become a bone of contention...or not.
Again, observation and adjustment and patience will win in the long run.

I was thinking of her 'safe space' during the day. But it's not like I can put a sign up that says "For safety only" lol! Thank you! Yes, I think more patience on our part and keeping an eye on how things are going is the best course of action. Thank you!!!

 

[lverner]

Quick update: No big changes. We have been letting Little sleep in the front side of the coop. We leave the door open, she goes in on her own, makes herself comfy then we shut the door. My husband even found a very 'little' egg the other morning! We let the big girls out during the day/when we get home from work and they all mingle. A few 'lower rung' girls give a little chase now and then but Little is working hard to be part of the flock. During the day when the big girls are in the run, Little hangs out right next to them. We might continue this for another week, see how it goes and test out mixing them in the coop/run next weekend.

 

[brit foster]

Omg I am on the edge of my seat with this story
The Little chicken who could (join the flock)... how stinking' cute

 

[lverner]

Omg I am on the edge of my seat with this story
The Little chicken who could (join the flock)... how stinking' cute

I know! It's been fun/interesting to watch. I think we are getting closer. She's working on being closer and closer and they are chasing her off less and less. I think we are shooting for Friday night for putting her in the coop with the big girls. We'll be home on Saturday morning to watch and see how they act. Nervous but hopeful!!! I will keep everyone posted for sure!!!!!

 

[Cyber]

This is how I got my first chicken. A neighbour's chicken wandered into our yard and we couldn't get her out. A few years later and we have a large flock of chickens.

 

[Col1948]

By the sounds of it, it's working, she is mingling and the chases are less and less, good sign, it won't be long when you won't even notice, she will be part of the flock.

 

[lverner]

By the sounds of it, it's working, she is mingling and the chases are less and less, good sign, it won't be long when you won't even notice, she will be part of the flock.

I think so too! I'm encouraged. There aren't many 'chases' now but I think that Little's first instinct is to run when they just take a step in her direction. My husband has had to work a little harder to get her into the front of the coop at night. She has been wanting to hang out on top of the run. She's racoon bait up there. So he made her a little roost in the front of the coop last night and hopefully that will help when getting her to go in tonight. We are going to try and put her in with the big girls on Friday night and see how it goes on Saturday morning! Fingers crossed!!!!!