New pullet to a flock

[silkiefarmer]

Hi everyone. I need your help . We have 5 hens, one of them became broody six months ago. We bought fertilized eggs, which only two hatched successfully. The surrogate mom took care of them up to 3 1/2 month old, then she went back to the flock. We kept the pullet and it is the one we are trying to introduce to the flock. She's now 5 months old. During the day they roam free most of the time, and at night we have to bring in the new pullet and help her to get in the coop, other wise she will get peck. They are inside the same corral separated by a poultry net divider so they are able to see each other. Her surrogate mother pecks on her badly for no reason. Almost all he other hens do the same, except for one that seems to tolerate her at most of times when they roam free. We'd plan a vacation trip, but I'm very concerned that if we mainstream her into the same corral with the other hens she could get badly hurt. How much longer should we wait to mainstream her? Should I add another feeder and water feeder to the main corral to provide extra food and avoid food territoriality?

Thank you

Any ideas, suggestions are greatly appreciated.



We have a two barred rocks, Amerucauna, Bearded silkie, Rhode island red, and the new addition a black cooper maran (she is beautiful).

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I would worry about her also. Her mom pecks at her to encourage her to "be on her own".

You might try taking the one who "likes" her when free ranging and lock them up together for a couple, three days. Then take another girl, middle pecking order and add her to the two. Give them time to become a flock.

Then add the three back into the main flock - after you re-arrange the main part of the coop (if you can) add a nestbox, move the roost, add a roost - something like that.



For me, when I have chicks with a broody, it is easier to add the chicks to the main coop when mom is still caring for them and watching out for them. Generally 4 to 5 weeks old.


Good luck and I hope you have a good trip.



ETA: good gravy, I totally forgot

 

[dawg53]

You might try putting her in their house in the middle of the night with the others. When they all go out in the morning, they may not know the difference. It may or may not work, but it's worth a try.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Do you have a rooster? My rooster stops the girls when they start pecking at each other. He will get between them, and give LOUD cluckings then push them apart.

Don't know about all roo's, but my boy is very good with his girls! guess I'm lucky