Single hen introduction; should I let her hide?

[SemiSweet2391]

I have been integrating a single pullet into my flock of 8 (2 hens, 6 pullets). It’s been rough of course!

We did look but no touch for a few days, then a supervised introduction. There was a lot of conflict but no blood, which I have read is normal. There is a lot of clutter and hiding places with multiple exits, but the new girl is choosing to hide in the coop. I’m putting food and water in there for her.

Should I let her hide in the coop? Or should I encourage more interaction? Picture of the new gal for fun!

 

[nuthatched]

1. Quarantine for at least a month.
2. See, but no touch for 2 weeks.
3.let loose in the yard while they're in the yard or put in coop after dark.

She's scared, hive her time.

 

[Amazonlover]

1. Quarantine for at least a month.
2. See, but no touch for 2 weeks.
3.let loose in the yard while they're in the yard or put in coop after dark.

She's scared, hive her time.

Just curious, how do you suggest quarantine? Walled off in same space or do you mean absolute separation where they cannot see each other?

 

[aart]

Just curious, how do you suggest quarantine?

BYC Medical Quarantine Article

 

[nuthatched]

Just curious, how do you suggest quarantine? Walled off in same space or do you mean absolute separation where they cannot see each other?

Quarantine is no contact at all, in any way. The new bird is as far away to your flock as possible, say, your front garage if you have a backyard flock. No breezes to carry dander, wash hands and change shoes between birds. Absolutely no cross contamination.
For atleast a month, many diseases don't show unless triggered by a stress event (such as moving to a new place) and it take 2-3 weeks from that point to incubate the disease to show symptoms.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just curious, how do you suggest quarantine? Walled off in same space or do you mean absolute separation where they cannot see each other?

Here's the reality - it's too late for quarantine, they've already been exposed to any disease or parasites the other side has. So keep it in mind for the future, but skip it now.

Your new addition may need more see but no touch time so she can see the others but isn't in danger of being attacked. Some folks suggest feeding the birds (both groups) near the dividing fence so they can "interact" around a valued resource without doing damage to one another.

 

[Paz]

I think she needs another week of look no touch time. She is very cute btw

 

[Coinini Ceatharlach]

Thank you for this information. I am a newbie and recently got 3 pullets 19-20 weeks old Rhode Island red hybrids.

I just saw a local lady looking for a new home for one hen (she lost the rest to predators). I was just looking how to introduce her to my 3 girls. Because of bird flu lock down, I have them in the large pen, I thought of putting the hen for rehoming into a large crate beside my pullets so they can see each other but not being in direct contact for a few weeks, before I move them all into their mobile tractor unit.

Dohh quarantine slipped my (on the rescue mission) mind. I quarantine any new parrot I bring in and or rabbit. I am in an urban setting so space is limited. It would not be the best, but I have still empty plastic greenhouse,that I can set up as a quarantine quarters if you believe it would work, after a month I would go with my original plan which is inline with what you said. Thank you in advance