What to expect when introducing new girl to flock??

[Ms. Cluckingly]

So today we adopted a new girl. She is a 6 wk old EasterEgger and we've named her Holly. Well, OMG she is a cuddler. She's been lying on my chest for the past two hours. She moves around a bit and trills. She hasn't eaten hardly anything or drank much since we brought her home. She seems to be a sweet girl, but I put her in the run earlier after some seperation time away from the rest of the girls. After and 30 minutes, she went nuts and started running into the wire walls in the run. So I removed her and isolated her in another pen for a bit. Brought them inside and put my girls in their brooder, and Holly has been cuddling since. She started on my leg and has made her way up to my chest and has now moved to my shoulder. She loves to be loved on. She even snores a little. LOL Is this normal behavior? Is there anything I can do for her? When can I expect her to snap out of this? She roosts on me and her beak is open.. like she wants to say something. Only for a little while though. I don't know if she is just in shock or what? Do I need to worry or when should I start? My other girls are 4.5 weeks, and this one is 6 weeks, Any advice, please??

 

[elmo]

I've read that it's hard for a single chicken joining the flock. What I might do in your situation is take the lowest ranking, sweetest chick from my flock and introduce her to Holly in a separate place where just the two of them can be together. If that goes well, I'd add a third. Then, I'd return the three of them to the flock, and keep a close eye on things until I was sure everything was going smoothly.

I wonder if Holly has been around other chicks before. Do you know her background?

 

[Ms. Cluckingly]

Well, we got her from a lady today who had Cochins, Brahmas, EasterEggers, and something else. They are 6 weeks, and she told me that TODAY was their first day outside. They were in a small pen, open on the top, and NONE of them attempted to fly out... which I thought was odd.

I litterally put her down on my kitchen counter, and she layed there until I picked her up again. I've put sugar in her water, but she's not drinking.

I'll try to find a docile girl to introduce her too. Thanks.

 

[bigoakhunter]

I agree, a single bird put into a flock is tough. She will be singled out and picked on. Try the method that Elmo suggested.

 

[Ms. Cluckingly]

SO I've tried all the most gentle of my girls, and they completely ignore her.

Poor Holly slept in a rubbermaid in my room last night, right next to my bed. She did eat this morning, but she isn't drinking. I gave her a little bit of cheese too, and that is what prompted her to eat. She doesn't walk around. I put her on the kitchen counter, and she didn't move, I have just put her on the coffee table on a towel, and she doesn't move. I don't think she knows she can move or can use her wings? She is such a sweet girl. My kiddos and I already love her to pieces. I'm going to try introducing her to the girls one by one again. I really hope she snaps out of it.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Can you put her in with the others, but separated so she can see them but not touch? The others are younger, so it shouldn't be that difficult to put them together. You definitely need to make sure she's eating and drinking though.

 

[Ms. Cluckingly]

How can I get her to drink? I've tried dipping her beak, and putting water on my finger and bringing it to her beak. I'm worried.

And right now, she is eating laying down. Is that normal?