Worried about new lone Hen.

[azygous]

Yeah, they call it Chicken TV here. It's one of the reasons I canceled my satellite TV subscription years ago.

My chickens save me money. Gotta love that!

 

[jayjayclaus]

Hi Everyone,

May I just ask another question?

My little new girl has spent a week with chicken wire between her and my existing flock. Yesterday I came home from work and one of the girls had gotten into the same section as the new girl..... all seemed ok. So today I took down the fence went to work and left them too it..... a few pulled out feathers and some squabbling that I observed before and after work but, no blood or any damage.... great right! Not friends but she wasn't exactly food either.

My question is whether I should roost her with the other girls? While she was isolated I set up a dog crate for her to sleep in. Today when it came bed time, the old girls went to their usual area and she went to her dog crate. Should I leave her or move her to roost with the rest of the flock. Or leave it tonight and take the dog crate away tomorrow and see if they let her in?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Azygous, how is Edith going?

xx

 

[lazy gardener]

Can you let her have her dog crate tonight, and then move her crate into the coop with the rest of the flock (if it's not already there... I wasn't sure if you have her set up IN your coop) tomorrow? I'd let her choose for a few days before forcing the issue. But don't put the barrier back, unless there's blood shed. That will just prolong the integration. I like to allow free range (if that's an option) and give lots of snacking opportunities (toss some scratch into their run and into the coop litter.) when integrating.

 

[jayjayclaus]

Thank you lazy gardener,

The crate is inside the enclosure but not actually inside the coop. I'll put it in there for tonight then and see what happens.

I let them free in my back yard but there are so many hiding places they don't even see each other. So try to leave them in the enclosure and give the outside time a little each morning and night.

I think after a week it's gone OK. I just hope they will roost together, the dog crate will be fine untill it rains, she won't be protected in it.

 

[azygous]

Jayjay, thanks for asking after Edith. She continues to make stunning progress, and is mostly with the flock now, only spending a few minutes in her safe area twice a day to make sure she gets enough to eat, although she's getting more courage to try to eat out of the communal feeder.

Watching a new hen develop self confidence is a wonderful thing to behold.

I encourage you to do away with the crate for your new girl. it seems she may be developing a dependence on it when she needs to be learning to be confident of her place in the flock.

 

[jayjayclaus]

I'm so glad Edith is doing so well.

My girl is slowly getting there also, she stole a meal worm from one of the girls and regretted it yesterday..... just went too far. They won't let her eat so I've taken on your advise and feed her separately twice a day, I've also put a few bowls of food and water scattered around so that she can at lease sneak a bite or two before the others catch on during the day. They tolerate her provided she isn't eating, they they chase and still peck at her. Despite the girls not letting her eat, I can feel she has put on some weight and is still laying eggs, bless her.

The last couple of nights I've put her in with the girls. They don't let her on the perches but she is allowed on the floor under them. I get up before sunrise each morning to open the coop door so she isn't enclosed in the small run with them when they wake hungry and grumpy.

I've come to really like her so am glad to see progress, however small.

 

[azygous]

It's good to hear progress is being made. Edith is gaining confidence, and it sounds like your girl is, too. That's half the battle right there.

Like you, I've come to really love Edith. She seems to be fond of me, too. She's become quite cuddly, enjoys being held and snuggled, closing her eyes in bliss. I'm really glad I adopted her.

Over time, and it could take a year, our girls will be fully accepted by their flocks, and eating enough should no longer present a problem.