New member

[aliren]

Hi, I'm Alison from the uk , I have 4 ex battery hens and just taken on 2 ex barn hens. The poor barn hens are so scared going to take a long time to get them to mix with the others.

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[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi Alison form Yorkshire UK

Glad you could join the flock! That's so nice of you take all these girls in I'm sure with lots of care and reassurance form you they will come round and be happy ladies soon. I'm sure it's very scary for them moving when they have had such a hard life being kept on a commercial basis.
I'm sure with lots of time and patience you will get everyone intergrated together.
Here is a lovely article on introducing new birds ~https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

Wishing you the very best of luck and enjoy BYC

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello Alison!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.

 

[Hholly]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[aliren]

The new hens have been in there own coop with a run inside the larger pen, it's been 3 weeks , and they still run and hide into the coop if any of the other hen go near, then won't come out for ages, should I just leave them until there happy seeing the other hens before letting them out? I have tried a few times and the others won't to bad with them , but the new hens where just so scared , one had got herself under the ladder to her coop and flatten herself hiding her head, I thought she was dead! But I opened the coop and she ran in , is that normal

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

For now I would just let them be in their own coop etc. Obviously they had a very traumatic life before you stepped in. Being treated kindly will bring them around, especially when(if) spring ever arrives. You might try putting out an especially yummy treat for them - just outside the coop door, in the morning - they may decide it's worth sticking their neck out to try some. Welcome to Backyard chickens.

 

[N F C]

Hi Alison,

Give the new girls plenty of time, they'll come around once they feel at home.

Good luck with all your birds and thanks for joining us!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Alison and welcome to our community. Already some great advice, so i'm just saying a big hello

Good luck and all the best

CT

 

[aliren]

Thanks for all the advice , and big hello back to everyone,