New chicken in the flock!

[DaphneTheDuck]

We have a very small flock of one hybrid hen, one bantam hen and one runner. Just today we got one young 1 year old female polish and she has just sat in the bush and not had anything to eat or drink how can I get her to do so?
Thanks in advance!

 

[NatJ]

She probably needs a bit of time to get used to her new home, but she might feel shy of trying to eat and drink where the other birds do, because she doesn't know them yet, and they might chase her away at first.

Maybe put her in a dog crate or cage where she can have food, water, and see the other birds, but they cannot bother her. (Of course, make sure you put the crate/cage somewhere with shade, and also safe from predators.)

 

[aart]

Adding a single bird can be tricky.
Did you to some 'see but don't touch' time?

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/


As might these 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/

 

[Mrs. K]

An established flock of 3 is intimidation to one, especially one new bird in a strange area. If you can, put the other birds out of the coop/run, and put the new girl in all by herself. If you can, feed along the edge of the fence.

Let the established flock in as close to dark as you can get it. Do this for a couple of days, then let her out with the others. If one bird is really mean, put that bird in the dog crate or whatever away from the flock for a day or two.

Mrs K

 

[DaphneTheDuck]

An established flock of 3 is intimidation to one, especially one new bird in a strange area. If you can, put the other birds out of the coop/run, and put the new girl in all by herself. If you can, feed along the edge of the fence.

Let the established flock in as close to dark as you can get it. Do this for a couple of days, then let her out with the others. If one bird is really mean, put that bird in the dog crate or whatever away from the flock for a day or two.

Mrs K

Thanks for both the replies