New Hen Creating Choas

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greenrain

greenrain

Hatching
Mar 11, 2015
4
0
7
Please advise, I introduced a new hen to my flock of 8, the new hen spends all her time in the coop, she sits on various nesting boxes or stands watch, my girls take turns trying to chase her out, she stands her ground. My girls won't lay when shes in there. When I remove her they go back to laying. I've yet to see an egg from the new hen. She fluffs her feather and pecks at my hens and people when threatened. It's been only 3 days but I don't like what I see. Any suggestion, from my research she sounds broody????
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Yup, your hen is definitely broody! Do you have a rooster or access to fertile eggs? Are you wanting to hatch chicks? Now is the time to do so. Otherwise you need to break her because it's not healthy for hens to sit for no purpose. Here are some links on broodies
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/encouraging-or-discouraging-broodiness-in-your-hens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens

Best of luck!
 
Give her some fertile eggs and wire off where she has her nest so she cannot attack other hens. Once they have finished raising their chicks, their personalities go back to normal.
 
welcome-byc.gif
and so sorry about the coop chaos.

Definitely sounds like the new gal is broody, likely she will be more likable once this passes.

You have already been given links to the broodiness problem.

But even adding a non-broody hen to an established flock can create chaos as well. You didn't mention how long you had had the new hen, so wanted to make sure you know you need to slowly introduce any new one. Here's link to an article on the subject: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

IMO keep her separated until broodiness has resolved and then try the look no touch method to acclimate all to each other.
 
I can't thank you all enough for your feedback, I ran home from work this morning to remove the new hen after reading your comments. I will be finding a new home for her. I will never forgive myself if something happens to my flock for not quarantining before introducing her. I'm new at this and have a lot to learn. I have been enjoying the process till now and will be sure to do much better research before making rash decisions in the future. Thank you again so much.
 

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