Should I adopt this bantam?

[Khalpers]

Hi! I'm looking for advice today.

Last Thursday, a chicken was running amuck downtown in Nashville, where I work. I live in a more residential part of the city, and I have a small backyard flock of five. Animal Control caught the chicken after lots of drama (including her flying a half block, which was quite a sight.) They finally lured her with a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie. See the story here if you're interested: https://www.wsmv.com/news/loose-hen...cle_95f63ca8-2afb-11e9-8782-ef7f475d5d70.html

I posted in another thread, and you kind folks suggested she may be an Old English Bantam. I called Animal Control Thursday and asked about adopting her. They said I can come fill out the paperwork Monday (tomorrow.)

While I was pretty excited about it at the time, I'm beginning to wonder if I can offer her the best life. Especially after seeing her fly! I'd have to clip her wings. Here's some info:

-Current flock and pecking order (from what I can tell):
1. a Cuckoo Maran
2. a Dominique
3. a Barred Rock
4. an Americauna
5. a Gold Laced Wyandotte (Note: She was added to the flock late by their previous owner, and she's kind of a loner. I've read that when adding a new chicken to a flock, sometimes the lowest becomes the most vicious.)
-Space: They currently have a coop that is 4'x9'. They have an additional run that is 10'x15'. They are out in the yard supervised for 1-2 hours during the week, and 2-4 hours on the weekends.
-Getting along: They're pretty harmonious! The GLW gets chased off from food from time to time, but she always eventually eats, and from what I understand, this is natural.
-Integration abilities: I could fashion a section of the run off for the new bird, and/or to put any bullies in "jail." HOWEVER, I work 40 hours a week, and it might be tough to do a lot of supervision.

I've read lots of very helpful articles and posts on here about flock integration, and I don't want anyone to feel like they must repeat that info here, although advice is always appreciated. I guess I'm looking for some advice about if I can successfully integrate this particular bird based on her breed and circumstances (and mine, too.)
Thank you very much!

 

[Shadowfire]

I would say it'd be fine.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

She would be fine! She is GORGEOUS!!! If you don't I will!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I say yes. I would go for it.
You know her wings need clipped and to check them for regrowth.

I bet you will fall in love with her.

Adding that she is fast. You have seen this. She will be fine once intro is over.

 

[SongBaby33]

CERTAINLY

 

[chickenE]

Gorgeous, lucky lady!!

You may want to wait a bit before letting her out for yard time.

 

[Khalpers]

Gorgeous, lucky lady!!

You may want to wait a bit before letting her out for yard time.

Good thinking! Thanks!

 

[aart]

I would advise against it.
Have you ever done an integration before?
Your space is tight for adding a single bird.
You don't have time supervise.
Who knows what pests or diseases that bird might be carrying.
Never take a bird you 'feel sorry for'.

If you absolutely must take her I would suggest you get one of the tiny coop/run combos to quarantine her away from your existing flock until you're sure she's healthy.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Khalpers]

I would advise against it.
Have you ever done an integration before?
Your space is tight for adding a single bird.
You don't have time supervise.
Who knows what pests or diseases that bird might be carrying.
Never take a bird you 'feel sorry for'.

If you absolutely must take her I would suggest you get one of the tiny coop/run combos to quarantine her away from your existing flock until you're sure she's healthy.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

Hi! Thanks so much for this advice. I spent a long time last night listing pros and cons, and thanks to BYC posts and articles, my CONs list was just too long to justify it. I woke up feeling like it just doesn’t make sense, and I’d be causing turmoil in my harmonious flock. Thanks for affirming that — and for offering your experience so often in these forums.

 

[BantammChick]

I know you want to take it, but it can have diseases that it could bring into your flock. It would be best for you to not take it.