Taking on a new chicken/chicken is here.........I need some help!

[ponygal12]

Today's been bascially the same. When Rover is out of the crate, she hides in the coop from the other chickens. Is that normal?

 

[ponygal12]

Bump Bump

More updates:

Rover was out of her cage most of the day. She hid in the coop the whole time and really didn't make any progress. Lou, the head of the flock chased her ocasionally. She and one other chicken are the problem. I'm concerned if I put one in the cage with her that theres not enough room. Suggestions?

 

[Kittymomma]

Leave the new girl out and put the boss hen in the crate for a few days--should give the new one a chance to get settled in without constant harrasment. I also like to put a second feed/water station out during integration so that the bullies can't keep the new ones away from it so easily. It will take awhile for her to make friends, as long as she's not being pecked on constantly it's very normal for her to remain somewhat seperate from the flock--sometimes it takes months to fully integrate when you're only adding one or two.

 

[ponygal12]

Thanks for the advice! Tomorrow I will try what you suggested.

 

[PepsNick]

I've been through this TOO MANY times! Cynthia is right, your quarantine was NOT long enough, unless you took her to a vet to get checked for diseases. I'd do that if I were you just to be sure, since you've already introduced her, it'd be difficult to quarantine her again. You have to let the pecking order take it's place, but make sure that there isn't ever ANY blood coming out of the new hen... then they will all be attracted to that blood. Kind of like vampires lol. Introducing one hen alone can be very tricky, but it'll work out in about a week and a half to two weeks. And removing the head hen for a couple days does help a lot. Good luck!

 

[Mattemma]

She's a pretty one!

I introduced teen hens to 3 older ones,and unfortunately the older girls have been quite harsh on them.Been about 3 months now.It is worse now that my teens started to squat when attacked. I removed all three then returned 1 alone after a few days. I will add another back in a few more days. The pecking has been less by the lone old hen,but she still pecks a little. I hope all goes well for your new hen.

 

[firsthouse_mp]

I integrated two flocks last year and it was a LONG process of observing and mixing up who was with whom! I did about 4 different variations of caging up pairs and who was likely to be aggressive and each of these variations lasted about a week. I let the newbies and the least aggressive hens free range for about 4 days. The more aggressive ones had to remain in the run and coop while the others were out. The gotten shortened later in the day free range time and I put the other in the run, coop--swapping spots. Then I mixed one of the more aggressive ones in, then finally my top of the pecking order got caged each day for about 4 hours within the coop. Eventually she was let out too.

The tips about multiple feeding stations worked really well for me--I had 4 feeding stations for 6 hens for about 3 weeks. Also the tip about treats worked well too. As long as each hen had an area for their special food, they weren't as aggressive.

Our lowest pecking order hen is still a bit pecked upon but she manages and she knows to stay away from the one who will pick on her. I also fed her more (separately) during this stressful time so that she had energy to deal with this.

Good Luck!

 

[ponygal12]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to post a new topic about gaining her trust. Right now, she's completely skittish and I can feel her trembling when I hold her. Anyways, thanks for all your help!

 

[ChickenGirl3]

They're establishing the pecking order>I got a new silkie chicken yesterday (I don't know how old she is),but yesterday she got pecked from my two other hens Speckles and Cream. (Dominique and Rhode Island White) This morning and yesterday night she never got pecked! She is actually in the coop sitting down!

hope this helps!

 

[abhaya]

Introducing 1 bird can be tricky. I always try to introduce a few at a time. That way one is not singled out. But it sounds like things are going well.