Quick question

[Orpingtons43]

I have a black tailed buff hen that was raised with my grey Japanese bantams. I finally got a trio of black tailed buff Japanese. I wanted to put her with them so I used the "see but don't touch" method for about 1 1/2 months I put her with them about 6 days ago and on day 1 the one of the hens was pecking at her ( not a lot ) but I left it alone because they have to rearrange the pecking order. They are fine now but she will not come out of the nesting box and roosting part of the coop. I also saw she wasn't eating or drinking because the other hens and the rooster was out by the feed and water, I felt bad for her so I put her some feed and water in the nesting box and roosting part. But I want her to come out more and feel comfortable is there anything I can do?

 

[chickens really]

Set up two feed and water stations..Pull her out of the nest Box. Put her out with the flock and watch what happens. She is not part of the flock and hides so needs to be forced a bit to mingle.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old is she? Is she laying eggs yet? How much room do you have? Those behaviors sounds like an immature pullet in with a mature flock with limited space.

 

[Orpingtons43]

Set up two feed and water stations..Pull her out of the nest Box. Put her out with the flock and watch what happens. She is not part of the flock and hides so needs to be formed a bit to mingle.

Thank you. I will do that and see if it works! I sure hope that does

 

[Orpingtons43]

How old is she? Is she laying eggs yet? How much room do you have? Those behaviors sounds like an immature pullet in with a mature flock with limited space.

she is 1 1/2 years old. She is laying. My coop is fairly large for bantam chickens. The others are 2 years old and they are also laying. The rooster is also crowing and he is a good rooster.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That sure blew my theory. That's classic immature pullet behavior but at 1-1/2 years she should be well beyond that. It still sounds like your coop and run space together may be a little tight. If she can't keep enough distance away from the others she won't be going into the run until she is comfortable with being with the other chickens. Integration takes more room that you need for an already integrated flock to live together.

Chickens generally don't like change but it seems she is taking longer to adjust than normal. Still, she should before too much longer. Since she is not being hurt I agree your best bet is to provide food and water in the coop and in the run until she gets over it and joins the main flock. Good luck!

 

[aart]

My coop is fairly large for bantam chickens.

What does that mean in feet by feet?
Pics of coop and run would help.
Integration works best with extra space,
especially when adding a single bird to an established trio.
Places to 'hide' out in the run would help too.

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.

 

[chickens really]

What does that mean in feet by feet?
Pics of coop and run would help.
Integration works best with extra space,
especially when adding a single bird to an established trio.
Places to 'hide' out in the run would help too.

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.

Excellent reply...Yes, chickens are cruel and pecking order is high with them..Its not like introducing Puppies..lol

 

[Orpingtons43]

I tried to get a picture of the coop but it keeps saying error