New hen added to small flock...quick question.

[Magpie31]

I acquired a new hen. She belonged to a friend of mine, but was being bullied so badly she was going to get killed. She couldn't even sleep in the coop with the others, so she had to sleep outside, alone. Very sad.

So anyway, I brought her over to my place last night to see if she could find a spot in my little flock (she makes bird #4). There hasn't been any fighting, but everyone is agitated and the new chicken won't come down into the run. I expect that things will settle down soon, but in the mean time, it's supposed to get to 90 degrees today. Should I put food and water up in the coop for her, or is that the lure that will pull her into the run with the others?

 

[fried green eggs]

Probably better to put water in for her and food too. It will brobably take a few days before she feels brave enough to join the others even if, they are not picking on her.

 

[Magpie31]

Bumping this up because I have more questions.

My new hen is still hiding in the coop. She has food and water, and while they seem to be clucking at each other all the time, there doesn't seem to be any fighting at all. We do, however, have a little issue on the egg laying side of things. My three original chickens all laid eggs in one nest box (they have two, but they all like the one. Whatever, it hasn't been a problem.) Well, now my meekest chicken has started laying her eggs in the water dish. Yes, you read that right. In the water dish, down in the run. My guess is that since Nuggets (the new hen) doesn't want to leave the coop, my little sweet hen doesn't want to deal with her.

Meanwhile, Nuggets lays *her* eggs right in the middle of the coop. I tried putting fake eggs in the second nest box, which is how I got my original girls into the box the first time, but even with other chickens laying in the box, she is not interested. It wouldn't be a huge issue, except that she is also prone to escaping. I can get into the nest box without opening up the whole coop, but I can't reach the center without lifting the whole side (I have an A-frame coop), which gives her plenty of room to sneak around me. The last time she got out (Monday) it took me an hour to catch her, and I broke my foot in the process. Now I am moving a whole lot slower.

I don't know if there is an easy answer to all of this, or if I just continue to wait and let the chickens work it out for themselves, but I would love any input you all may have.

 

[fried green eggs]

I'm so Sorry

I haven't been on much lately. How are you doing? I'm sure dealing with hens isn't high on your list right now. I don't think there is a easy answer for your hens. You could try adding a box with straw in it to see if, you could get her to lay in there so, you could just slide it out without opening the whole end. My guess is she doesn't want to use the other box because she can get cornered. I have one hen that won't leave the coop because when she does she gets pecked on. Inside the coop they seem to get along fine

I hope that with time they start getting along better and it gets easier for you. I hope you heal well and I wish you a speedy recovery!