New to BYC

[Rocky Mtn Sunshine]

I have joined BYC to get information and maybe help others with chicken knowledge.

I bought four (max allowed is four)1 year old hens two years ago. Two Wyandottes and two Rhode Island Reds.

Made the mistake of throwing a container of tomatoes a neighbor gave me...didn't check my list.
Lost one of the Reds as there was vine attached to the tomatoes...so sad!

Waited until recently to add another hen. Made the mistake of getting one before checking advice.
I read that I should have waited until I needed two.

I have had the new hen quarantined by creating a barrier in the back 1/3 for her. They have green fencing seperating them.

I would like to get her integrated before the weather gets bad.
Any suggestions? Has it been long enough to just let them work it out?

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. I would start with monitored integration to assure the new hen is not overly abused.

 

[N F C]

Hi, sorry for the loss of one of your original birds. How long have you had the new one segregated from the rest?

 

[muddy75]

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

I'd keep her separate for a few weeks. Make sure you have plenty of room for mixing, at least 5 sq ft per bird if they will be enclosed. On mixing day add more food and water stations so the original birds can't guard them all. It helps to have levels for the new bird to escape or jump on. Watch carefully that first day and the coming weeks. Make sure she gets in the coop and on the roost bar at night. If at any time the aggression turns bloody, cage the bully for a while so she can adapt. Good luck!

 

[Sparrows]

I have joined BYC to get information and maybe help others with chicken knowledge.

I bought four (max allowed is four)1 year old hens two years ago. Two Wyandottes and two Rhode Island Reds.

Made the mistake of throwing a container of tomatoes a neighbor gave me...didn't check my list.
Lost one of the Reds as there was vine attached to the tomatoes...so sad!

Waited until recently to add another hen. Made the mistake of getting one before checking advice.
I read that I should have waited until I needed two.

I have had the new hen quarantined by creating a barrier in the back 1/3 for her. They have green fencing seperating them.

I would like to get her integrated before the weather gets bad.
Any suggestions? Has it been long enough to just let them work it out?

Hi! And welcome to BYC!

 

[Jener8or]

Animals are, of course, unpredictable, but I think I generally shoot for 2 weeks of "look but can't touch" separation time and see how it works out, and go longer if they seem like they might need more time to be accepting. Putting the instigator in jail for a bit, as mentioned, might work out well, too.

It's not as easy as adding a pair, but I think there's hope for integrating a single. It looks like she might have a lot of hiding places, so I think that's good, and @TwoCrows' suggestion to add more feeders and waterers is some more great advice.

Sorry, I pretty much have no new tips to offer since I just repeated what everyone above me just said but hopefully your integration is successful! Keep us posted and let us know if you run into any problems or other questions!

Welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[Tookie]

Hello, welcome to BYC! Nice to meet you. Good luck with integration!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Jenbirdee]

hello! nice to have you here!