Polish bantam chick, advice!?

[Potsmama]

So I’ve adopted this crowned polish bantam chick, a friend found her in a parking lot abandoned. She couldn’t keep her so I offered.
I have two birds already, (a red and a naked neck)and they get along great. I’m just concerned about whether or not they’ll eat along or they’ll hurt my lil girl.
I know I should wait til she’s bigger to fully introduce them and then crate her in the coop with them for a few days/ week but any other advice to help keep lil Perogie safe would be deeply appreciated!

 

[aart]

Adding a single bird can be a challenge...and fluffy headed birds can be targets for picking because they can't see well and look 'funny'.
What are your coop and run like?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
Crating her in the coop now, unless your worried about bringing in pests and disease.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might the....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Mrs. K]

Very small coops for very small flocks also compound the problems of this integrations. It may be a none go.

Get the chick out there ASAP, separate by fencing off a corner in the run. Put a tote on its side for a wind break and shelter. Put feed and water near the fence on both sides. Wait for a week.

Eventually, lift the fence, so that it is a couple of inches off the ground. This will allow the chick to explore and retreat out of reach of the bigger birds. So you want to lift the fence, before the chick becomes full size, as size will stop the others from chasing her through the gap.

When I have done this, with like fowl, I have had very good results. But that funky feathering worries me a bit, "Birds of a feather, flock together..." is more than just a saying.

Mrs K

 

[Potsmama]

Adding a single bird can be a challenge...and fluffy headed birds can be targets for picking because they can't see well and look 'funny'.
What are your coop and run like?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
Crating her in the coop now, unless your worried about bringing in pests and disease.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

As might the....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Thank you so much <3 this is great advice !
My run is 12 ft x 6 ft and the inside is 4 x6 ft.
My big birds pretty much free range for the day everyday unless I leave for the day.
My lil girl is gonna stay with me inside until I think she’s tough enough.

 

[Potsmama]

Pic of the coop. Just two birds in here

 

[Potsmama]

Very small coops for very small flocks also compound the problems of this integrations. It may be a none go.

Get the chick out there ASAP, separate by fencing off a corner in the run. Put a tote on its side for a wind break and shelter. Put feed and water near the fence on both sides. Wait for a week.

Eventually, lift the fence, so that it is a couple of inches off the ground. This will allow the chick to explore and retreat out of reach of the bigger birds. So you want to lift the fence, before the chick becomes full size, as size will stop the others from chasing her through the gap.

When I have done this, with like fowl, I have had very good results. But that funky feathering worries me a bit, "Birds of a feather, flock together..." is more than just a saying.

Mrs K

Is it foolish to cut her feathers back a bit to help her see and look more “normal” to them?

 

[Mrs. K]

No, I don't think so, several people on here have mentioned that they do that. You might also try a device called pin-less peepers. They do not hurt the bird, and you could put them on the older birds, while you try and get this all together.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HO0Y3MY/?tag=backy-20

I have never used them, but I would in situation like you are trying to do. And I think I would start with them. Give an advantage to that little bird. They limit their forward vision, so they don't chase or peck. They will shake their heads a bit till they get used to them, and can eat and drink just fine. But I would watch to make sure. People swear by them.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

And really the sooner you get them together, the better. Don't keep her inside too long.

 

[aart]

Is it foolish to cut her feathers back a bit to help her see and look more “normal” to them?

Have seen several people trim silkie and polish top hats to improve vision.
IIRC, it's pretty successful.
Try browsing a few of these threads:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/66681372/?q=trim+polish&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1