Only one chicken

[Marcellaandholly]

So I should do the introduction over time... But I only have one coop, so how do I keep them separated at night? I have a big crate, should I do something like that for a bit at night?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Thank you everyone! I so appreciate the advice, everyone is so great. So the flock that I got my single hen from is down to two hens now. I took the two hens that I had because the one that died was getting bullied very very badly. So these two came to live with me. Well now that the poor little girl that was getting bullied has died I'm thinking of just bringing the other two hens here, as my friend just had a baby and they will get more attention here. So, these hens have lived together before, about six months ago, and the hen that I have left now never had any issues with the other two. I'm wondering if that will make all the introductions easier?? Or do chickens not have memories like that?!

Chickens do have long-term memory (even goldfish can remember things for a matter of months) and may remember each other. But it's worth noting that even if they DO remember each other that doesn't mean they will immediately get along. Certainly you could let them all out to free range and just see how it goes, but be prepared to corral or isolate them and revert to a see-don't-touch plan if something isn't going well. Proceed with caution and keep a close eye on things.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

A big crate is perfect for this sort of thing. It's only for a week or two.

 

[Marcellaandholly]

Ok. That's good to know. My chickens don't really free range, they have a coop and an outside run, I live in the city so can't have them in the street! So I'm not sure how to separate them.

 

[aart]

Can you actually walk into that bigger run?
Do they use the smaller attached run or go into the open door on coop?
Maybe put new birds in the smaller attached run with small feeder and waterer?
Or put crate into bigger run.....would be nice it they were protected from the weather.


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[Marcellaandholly]

Ok I'll do that! I'm in Las Cruces, NM. I have a tarp over half of the outdoor run and the coop itself to protect from weather now. In the summer I'll probably cover most of the outdoor run due to the hot sun. The top has a netting over it to protect from hawk's, you can't really see it in the pic though. There's a gate and yes I go in to feed, water etc etc.