Question about adding a hen to the flock

[melroseladi]

I have one hen and two males that were hatched last spring. I have an opportunity to get a hen that is about the same age. Would it be a problem adding her to the others? Anything special I need to do?

 

[robin416]

You will have to use the same integration methods that are used for chickens. The bird has to be in a partitioned off area where the existing birds can see her and get accustomed to her. This can take a couple of weeks before she will be accepted. If one male seems to be particularly interested in her you can let him in with her for a time. If a male takes a liking to her that will speed the process up some.

If you are not slow and careful they will either kill her or run her off.

 

[Terri O]

I put my new girl in a cage in the chicken coop. She stayed in there for about 3 weeks and I let her out. THe others arent really hanging with her yet but they arent attacking her either. She does go back onto the coop to sleep--unlike them, as soon as it got above 20 they are back in the trees! Silly birds! Terri O