New hen to the flock

[The chicken lady30]

Hi, I’m new here so not sure if this is the right post for this thread.

I have rescued a new hen she is a blue Americauna, my other hens are 5 rangers, one those island red, two ixworth and a white Sussex (I know there’s a lot of mixes) haha

I’ve had my new hen a week tomorrow (Tuesday) and my flock is still not happy with her, I’ve kept her In the cage in the stable where the others roost to get to know her and thought she’d be ready but when I let her out they all pecked her and wasn’t that nice to her so had to put her back….any suggestions? Or would she be a house hen instead.

Thankyou for reading

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

I've seen it recommended that when introducing a lone hen to a flock to start by adding a hen from the middle of your existing flock's pecking order to her enclosure for a while so that they team up and become buddies. I haven't tried this myself since I've only integrated chicks.

 

[Mrs. K]

Adding 1 hen to 5 established flock is a hard go. Adding one to one, will be a dust up, but one on one, it tends to settle quickly. Wait until that is pretty solid, then add a pair to the pair.

Another trick, is to kick out the established flock into the yard. Then add the new bird into the coop/run. This lets her explore the area, find the hide outs (you do have hideouts?) and multiple feed bowls without being chased for her life. Then feed along the fence line. This lets them eat together - but separated. Let the original flock in as close to dark as you can.

After a day or two of this, then add one bird to her in the set up. Wait a day or two, then let them all back in late afternoon.

Do have multiple feed bowls, that are hidden, as in a bird eating at one station, cannot see a bird eating at another. Pallets, small plywood pieces, can make little mini walls, with a bowl behind it.

Mrs K

 

[The chicken lady30]

Adding 1 hen to 5 established flock is a hard go. Adding one to one, will be a dust up, but one on one, it tends to settle quickly. Wait until that is pretty solid, then add a pair to the pair.

Another trick, is to kick out the established flock into the yard. Then add the new bird into the coop/run. This lets her explore the area, find the hide outs (you do have hideouts?) and multiple feed bowls without being chased for her life. Then feed along the fence line. This lets them eat together - but separated. Let the original flock in as close to dark as you can.

After a day or two of this, then add one bird to her in the set up. Wait a day or two, then let them all back in late afternoon.

Do have multiple feed bowls, that are hidden, as in a bird eating at one station, cannot see a bird eating at another. Pallets, small plywood pieces, can make little mini walls, with a bowl behind it.

Mrs K

Thankyou so much for your idea it worked brilliantly

 

[Kitchenella]

Hi, I’m new here so not sure if this is the right post for this thread.

I have rescued a new hen she is a blue Americauna, my other hens are 5 rangers, one those island red, two ixworth and a white Sussex (I know there’s a lot of mixes) haha

I’ve had my new hen a week tomorrow (Tuesday) and my flock is still not happy with her, I’ve kept her In the cage in the stable where the others roost to get to know her and thought she’d be ready but when I let her out they all pecked her and wasn’t that nice to her so had to put her back….any suggestions? Or would she be a house hen instead.

Thankyou for reading

We put our new one in a pen underneath our coop Which is on legs in the middle of the ”run”.it took over a month before they started to ignore her. First they let her be in the run but chased her if she got close to them. Eventually they pretty much ignored her unless she wentafter their treats when I tossed them in the run. When they seemed quite used to her I waited until the others were all tucked I. For the night and put the new one in near the door of the coop. Now they have finally accepted her Although it’s obvious she on the bottom of the pecking order.

PS we have 3. A buff Orp, RIRed and barred PRock. New one is a stray meat chicken. Not sure breed. Curious to see if she survives.