Solitary confinement for problem hen

[Eggs82]

Long story short I’m trying to merge a flock of 6 pullets into my existing flock of 5. Most of the older hens are fairly accepting, all except one. Well last night my wife and I wrangled the problem hen into a dog crate, which is now in my garage. Thinking of keeping her separate for about a week while I work on getting the new girls into the coop with the older hens. I’ve noticed a difference already this morning, they were eating together and nobody was hassling anybody else. Anybody else had experience isolating a hen to stop bullying?

 

[sourland]

When you reintroduce her, the original remaining 4 hens may hassle her to the point that she leaves the young birds alone. I think that you have done the right thing. A week should be long enough, but watch her once she is reintroduced. Good luck.

 

[snow5164]

For sure , but I’d put her in the run with the others immediately, you don’t want them to completely forget each other.

She will have time to calm down and they can go see her if they want. Hope it works for you ,

I had a time out chair for my kids with a grumpy face on it , they hated having to sit there , oh the good times

 

[Eggs82]

I was wondering... will she continue to lay inside the dog crate. I’d hate to stress her out to the point where she gets blocked up or something. Only asking because she hasn’t laid today. And she lays an egg a day 90% if the time.

 

[kristi83]

I have had this happen I also had to take the problem child out and then reunite . But they are right , don't let them forget eachother . Good luck mine still layed fine . I'm sure tommorrow she will lay !

 

[Mrs. K]

Always solve for the peace of the flock. This might work, might not, give a solid try. If good, so be it, if not redone or cull her. Strife is not good for any of the birds.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was wondering... will she continue to lay inside the dog crate. I’d hate to stress her out to the point where she gets blocked up or something. Only asking because she hasn’t laid today. And she lays an egg a day 90% if the time.

Yes they'll lay even if they're caged up somewhere. I recently treated a hen for bumblefoot and kept her in the brooder for a few hours after working on her foot, and she laid an egg there.

 

[GrannyHeeney]

My problem girl is in a divided "jail" area inside the main cage. It's been a week now and she still races back and forth along the wire when the new girl is nearby. Is it defeating the purpose that she is not being jailed out of sight?

 

[staceyj]

I just went through a nasty phase with one of my hens who’s gender confused. ( no rooster in the flock)

It took a solid two weeks and I’m exhasted from shuffling and juggling chickens, because removing her threw the rest of the bunch into discord but I COULD NOT have her with them because she was targeting one in an awful way and nearly tore her comb off, an injury that required stitches.
I did struggle with the laying issue because she would get frantic with “the need” but wouldn’t do it in the crate or later a large puppy pen with lattice over the top. So the compromise was that she got the coop to herself for a period of time each day, with the pop door locked shut so she couldnt go anywhere else and she quickly got used to this routine. When she was finished she went back in the pen which I had right alongside their run. The whole time they could see each other and talk but not touch.
I am happy to report that FINALLY they are all back together and are happier than they’ve been in weeks and spent a long portion of yesterday in the pouring rain working together to dig a huge mud hole. They went to bed dirty and wet and came out happy as clams this morning.
Best wishes.

 

[aart]

I would first try with the isolation crate in the run with flock so she can observe the flock accepting the newbies...maybe let her out late in day for stretch and to gauge behavior.
If a few days with crate in run doesn't work, then isolate her out of sight of flock.

Is this bully low bird in the pecking order?
They are often the worst when integrating, not sure if they are protecting their already lowly position, or just revel in having someone lower to beat on.

How much space do you have in coop/run/range?
Dd you add more coop and run space?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ck-into-old-coop.1259277/page-2#post-20224180

How did you introduce these birds?
Ah, I see:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/getting-new-flock-into-old-coop.1259277/