Trying to add the neighbors 1 hen to my 4

[Audi0]

I got my 4 hens back in April 2022. They are 6 months old now. The neighbor has one hen left and said we could try to get her with mine so she is not alone. That hen has been on the other side of the fence from mine from the beginning and I throw her out treats and food on a daily bases. Do you think that my 4 will just accept her or will she still need to be separated in the run? I’ve got a 10 ft by 50 ft run so they have plenty of room and I’ve got just under 8 ft of roost bar space. 2 feeders and 2 waters. They also get hours almost everyday out the run in the yard( only .34 acre) I just don’t want the single hen picked on specially after 6 months of freeranging the neighborhood alone and survive just for my 4 to torture her. Any tips or advice is welcoming

 

[SandyRiverChick]

It's a great head start that they've already seen each other through the fence for so long. But you never know so if you want to play it really safe, make a temporary divider in your run and move her to that. The first time they meet with no fence in between them should be when they're out free-ranging. For nighttime, I actually have a divider in my roosting situation so this is just cake everytime, but if you can't do that you could wait til dark and place her on a roost. OR put her back in her current home for a few nights and then put her on a roost. I bet it will go okay since it sounds like they have plenty of room.

 

[NatJ]

That hen has been on the other side of the fence from mine from the beginning and I throw her out treats and food on a daily bases. Do you think that my 4 will just accept her or will she still need to be separated in the run?

Dividing the run to make a look-no-touch setup is usually recommended to introduce chickens that have never seen each other before, so they can start to get acquainted. If she's already been living next to yours, able to see and interact through a fence, that has already happened.

You could let your own hens out to free range, and shut the new hen into your coop & run for a few hours. That will give her time to find the food and water, and get familiar with the space, before you let your own birds back in for the night.

But basically, I would just try putting them together watch what happens. If she is fine, you have saved a lot of bother. If things do not go well, you can divide your run and keep working on the matter. But I don't really see how a divided run would help them become better acquainted, if they've already been living next to each other for months.

 

[Audi0]

It's a great head start that they've already seen each other through the fence for so long. But you never know so if you want to play it really safe, make a temporary divider in your run and move her to that. The first time they meet with no fence in between them should be when they're out free-ranging. For nighttime, I actually have a divider in my roosting situation so this is just cake everytime, but if you can't do that you could wait til dark and place her on a roost. OR put her back in her current home for a few nights and then put her on a roost. I bet it will go okay since it sounds like they have plenty of room.

Thanks for the info

 

[Audi0]

B

Dividing the run to make a look-no-touch setup is usually recommended to introduce chickens that have never seen each other before, so they can start to get acquainted. If she's already been living next to yours, able to see and interact through a fence, that has already happened.

You could let your own hens out to free range, and shut the new hen into your coop & run for a few hours. That will give her time to find the food and water, and get familiar with the space, before you let your own birds back in for the night.

But basically, I would just try putting them together watch what happens. If she is fine, you have saved a lot of bother. If things do not go well, you can divide your run and keep working on the matter. But I don't really see how a divided run would help them become better acquainted, if they've already been living next to each other for months.

Perfect thanks

 

[Onyxflock]

When you bring her in, have a few places where she can get away from the others if they chase her. Such as obstacles set up around your run that they have to climb over or run through. Usually the chaser will stop at the barrier.
Several feeders should be put out and spaced far apart or behind something too.
Expect some attacks, but like they said - keep an eye for the first week and be patient if your girls play rough.
I tried what I call a group startle, by catching them 1 at a time for a dusting and let them back in a small area I fenced off within the run. They were all so upset they forgot to fight and sat together preening.
It might take a while, but should work out if you follow the advice they gave you earlier and go slowly.

 

[Audi0]

When you bring her in, have a few places where she can get away from the others if they chase her. Such as obstacles set up around your run that they have to climb over or run through. Usually the chaser will stop at the barrier.
Several feeders should be put out and spaced far apart or behind something too.
Expect some attacks, but like they said - keep an eye for the first week and be patient if your girls play rough.
I tried what I call a group startle, by catching them 1 at a time for a dusting and let them back in a small area I fenced off within the run. They were all so upset they forgot to fight and sat together preening.
It might take a while, but should work out if you follow the advice they gave you earlier and go slowly.

love the idea of dusting them like that if needed! thanks!

 

[Audi0]

Everything worked out better then I anticipated. She walked into the yard for food. They all had a 20 second puffing up then went separate ways. She put my 4 in their place a few times but nothing to worry about. They have been moved into the run with coop and needed to work it out again but are setting down in the dirt and shade together. Hopefully tonight and tomorrow go well too. Thanks for all the great advice.