They STILL don't like her! Help? :(

[crawfordmama]

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How long has she been separated?

 

[GoldenCometLover]

Hi crawfordmama - today is a full week and according to the vet, she has 1 more week to go in confinement....I thought about putting the crate in the run with the other 3 chickens so they can at least see and chatter with each other - do u think that's a good idea?

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I've introduced a few times, and I always have better luck when I have several to introduce at the same time. Just one, they always get picked on worse. So like the others have said, I would get a her a few friends and introduce all at the same time. With my last introductions, I had 16 pullets to introduce to 10 older hens. I kept them seperate at night and would let them free range together during the day for a few weeks and now they are all together and they seem happy and fine. There will be a pecking order, no matter what you do. So she will probably always be at the bottom, but if she had a few friends it would help. Good luck.

 

[crawfordmama]

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That sounds like a pretty good idea, depending on her contidion. If you think she might get riled up in excitement and agrate an injury, or if she's contagious, I'd pass. Two weeks is a long time to fly solo! Allowing her to see her friends would keep her from getting lonely. I doubt her flockmates would forget about her over a couple of weeks. I've read stories on BYC about chickens being rehomed, then being reunited with previous flockmates, and quicky became friends. Hope your girl has a speedy recovery!

ETA: There could be some pecking, but nothing as bad as starting from scratch!

 

[GoldenCometLover]

Thanks crawfordmama - I will give it a try - and she is not contaigous....she hurt her leg badly coming off a roost...she just landed wrong!

I can tell she is lonely for sure

...she snuggles right up on me when I do let her out to clean her crate and such

...I like it, but it's not her usual style!

I will put her out with her friends starting tomorrow to see how it goes!

edited for spelling

 

[rhaj]

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When I got her, I didn't realize it would be this hard adding in just 1 bird... but I can't add any more. I'm pretty much at my max... I just have a small coop/run for a small backyard (ahem, not quite legal- ssshhh) flock. She is #6- I can't really put more than 6 in.

Do you think if I can set up an enclosure in my basement for a few days they would return to their previous behavior when they went back out to their coop? I'm not even sure at this point, that they would accept her in an unfamiliar place, but would be willing to try because it seems as though it may be my last option before giving her away

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Try taking one of the calmest girls away from the flock and putting in with her so she will have a buddy. Do this at night and then after a few days put both back in the coop at dark. Breaking up the flock sometimes helps. Make sure you have 2 feeders and 2 waterers for awhile also so they don't starve the added ones to death. That happens!!!

 

[rhaj]

Yes, I have a feeder and waterer in the dog cage.

The only one I may be able to put in there with her (the only one that won't attack her) is my little silkie... BUT I'm not sure that will help her much because she is so low on the totem pole herself. My new girl has even gone after the silkie while the other 4 all go after her (new girl).