Rescued a single hen

[Shaniko1158]

We recently adopted a hen and we have seven chicks that are 11 days old so it will be awhile before we put them together. In the meantime, would it be a good idea to find another full grown hen to keep our single hen company?

 

[azygous]

You have other options. Your chicks are old enough to be spending time outdoors on nice days. You actually have an ideal situation for easy integration if you understand how it works. Your new hen and the new chicks could be getting acquainted.

Interested?

 

[Shaniko1158]

You have other options. Your chicks are old enough to be spending time outdoors on nice days. You actually have an ideal situation for easy integration if you understand how it works. Your new hen and the new chicks could be getting acquainted.

Interested?

Absolutely. I have so much to learn but I just want the best for my chickens.

 

[azygous]

If you have a secure coop and run, you can brood the chicks outdoors in full proximity to this new hen. What is your coop and run setup like? Read this and you'll see the potential of this idea. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

As the chicks grow up, adult chickens accept them as legitimate flock members, avoiding conflict. An added bonus would be if this hen were to have her broody hormones triggered by being around the chicks and she would then take over their care and upbringing. This has happened in my flock. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/we-know-broody-hens-how-about-a-nanny-hen.1407935/

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd skip the other adult - you wouldn't be shortcutting anything as you'd really want to quarantine it for 30 days before ever putting them anywhere near each other. Even if you skipped quarantine (and accept the risk of diseases/parasites being passed around) you're still looking possibly at a few weeks of integration time.

I also raise my chicks outside in view of the adults, and start letting them mingle as early as 10 days old, with an ideal goal of having the chicks moved into the coop with the adults at 4 weeks.