New chicken to flock

[RustikRoo]

I've had a new hen cooped up next to my flock seeing each other for a while and thought she was ready to join. For a couple of days the rooster mainly just chases her away and out of the coop. The hens aren't too bothered. Any tips to make it easier on her? Thanks

 

[Perris]

can you provide a little more info? is he trying to mate her? does she show any signs of wanting to join them, lurking nearby for example, or does she run and hide? are you certain she's not a he?

 

[RustikRoo]

can you provide a little more info? is he trying to mate her? does she show any signs of wanting to join them, lurking nearby for example, or does she run and hide? are you certain she's not a he?

So when they iteracted the first time my rooster did his little impress dance but that was it. He chases her away every chance he gets but he also still does that with one I've had for three months. I'm not 100 certain she is a she but she's not interest in fighting the rooster and picking on any other hen just running and hiding. Even my older gentle ones walk up to her and she bolts off.

I've asked on here about her sex and it was a landslide towards a pullet

 

[RustikRoo]

 

[aart]

How old is she...and your other birds?
Looks a bit rough around the tail....is she molting?

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

As might this:
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Mrs. K]

Make sure you have multiple feeders where as a bird eating in one spot can't see a bird eating in another spot. But if there is no blood, I think you would be best just to wait, a single bird is a tough introduction.
Sometimes it is better, to pick a middle of the road bird, and put them in with her, let them get it worked out, and then introduce the pair to the flock. But really, I don't think you can doo much more but wait.

MRs K

 

[RustikRoo]

She's about three months and the other birds ranger from four years to 18 months. It's really only the rooster that is picking on her when she goes in the coop. Might need another temporary coop I think. She's moulting in the tail, the rooster hasn't caught hhis not really trying 100%.

 

[aart]

She's about three months and the other birds ranger from four years to 18 months. It's really only the rooster that is picking on her when she goes in the coop. Might need another temporary coop I think. She's moulting in the tail, the rooster hasn't caught hhis not really trying 100%.

At 3mo she's going thru a juvenile molt.