New Hen Introduction HELP!!!!!!

[ton80gsp]

On Friday 10/14/16 I lost another chicken and was down to just the 1 Isa Brown. We figured she would be lonely. A friend of mine gave us one of her Silver Laced Wayndotte Hens. The Isa Brown is 3 and half yrs old the Silver is a year and a half. First day, new hen outside pen old one inside. They fought thru the pen. So then we put the new hen into a carrier, and set it inside the pen for several hours. We then introduced them again. Again more fighting, which i expected. After that last scuffle it was night time and both were in the coop with no issues. My issue now is that my Isa brown is the obvious ruler. The Silver Laced squats by her, runs away from her. They were both on the roost last night on opp ends. The Isa Brown chases her away from doing anything. There is plenty of food and water and they have both been eating but neither has laid an egg yet since. How long do we wait to say this isnt going to work out and send the other one back and just let the Isa Brown be a lone chicken?

 

[redsoxs]

Not sure how long is long enough but clearly they need more time. Here's a link you might find helpful https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=See+but+don't+touch
Best wishes...hope they sort it out soon!

 

[chickens really]

Look no touch takes about a week....or 10 days.....Then introduce while free ranging...Have more than one food and water station..They will chase and peck but it should not resort to blood shed...?
Then leave them if things are mild to medium in aggression....Pecking order will need to be set...

Cheers!

 

[azygous]

With just the two of them, it won't take long for them to come to an "understanding" and settle in together. You have two breeds that are somewhat headstrong, so be patient.

However, this is chicken world, not at all like human society. Chickens find a degree of comfort and security in being with other chickens, but it's not the same as human friendship. Your hen was missing that when the other one died, but she wasn't lonely in our sense of that emotion.

Introducing a strange chicken is stressful for both of them, and it has triggered the need to establish a dominance and subordinance relationship. It's how chickens roll. They'll work it out in no time. Try to intervene as little as possible.

 

[ton80gsp]

They are tolerant of each other now. Still neither has laid an egg. Hopefully soon.

 

[chickens really]

They are tolerant of each other now. Still neither has laid an egg. Hopefully soon.

Sounds good....Once they settle...Eggs will come....


Cheers!