When should I introduce new chicken?

[susan1981]

Sadly last night, a fox got into our chicken coop and managed to get one of our two chickens. I feel horrible. I know these things happen and my husband has said it's just one of those things, the circle of life, blah blah blah but I feel sad thinking about what our poor chicken went through. I'd make a rubbish farmer ha!

Anyway my remaining chicken is unharmed but clearly traumatised as she won't come out if the hutch.

So now I just have 1 chicken, I'm going to need to get another. When do you think I should do this? I had pecking order problems with previous chickens which was a nightmare but would it be an idea to get one today where she isn't quite herself or should I wait a bit?

 

[Pork Pie]

Personally i would get another chicken ASAP, keep it quarantined for a 4 weeks or so, and then consider introducing her to your existing hen. But before any of that, i'd try to sure up the coop to prevent Mr fox returning.

CT

 

[the poppster]

Sadly last night, a fox got into our chicken coop and managed to get one of our two chickens. I feel horrible. I know these things happen and my husband has said it's just one of those things, the circle of life, blah blah blah but I feel sad thinking about what our poor chicken went through. I'd make a rubbish farmer ha!

Anyway my remaining chicken is unharmed but clearly traumatised as she won't come out if the hutch.

So now I just have 1 chicken, I'm going to need to get another. When do you think I should do this? I had pecking order problems with previous chickens which was a nightmare but would it be an idea to get one today where she isn't quite herself or should I wait a bit?

Replace right away....but as CTken said keep it in isolation for a few weeks....maybe in a separate pen but make sure that they can see and hear each other...the introduction will go a lot smoother if they get to know each other....but can't get to each other...seems to lower any aggressive behavior.

 

[susan1981]

Thanks will do this. We were really lucky with the chickens that we had this time. We had one that we got soon after my previous chicken was put to sleep (she was quite old) and I was all prepared for the usual kick off when introducing a new chicken but the one that we got (and still have) got on with our other chicken (the one that died last night) so well. There was no pecking order. They just sat together and were fine. I've only ever had problems with the pecking order once and that was the chicken that we had to have put to sleep but then she was quite an aggressive chicken compared to others that we've had. My remaining chicken has come out of her hutch now and is having some food so at least that's something.