Yay! A friend for JT

[KBaker71]

After my flock of 3 was reduced to 1, I went on a search to find a friend for poor JT, my Polish hen. A nice lady has offered the pick of the flock! ❤ But how do I pick the right one?

JT's sisters were a Cochin and a Rhode Island red. This lady has "Wyandottes, Australorps, ISA brown, Rhode island, and a few other random breeds". Is one a better fit than the others?

She also has one lone duck. Is that a good fit?

JT did suffer an injury during the scuffle (see my post "only 1 left") that took off some skin and feathers and left a small hole (puncture wound) on her back. She's healing as well as she can, but I'm worried this might entice the new sister to pick at her. Is that a thing? Thanks for any responses!

 

[Willow2253]

Wyandottes can be pretty bossy, I would avoid those. I have australorps and RIRS, they’re both friendlier breeds and would probably be a better fit. Whatever you choose, you’ll want to keep them separated from your hen for at least a couple of weeks to make sure you’re not bringing illnesses in. That’ll give her more time to heal before they’re officially introduced. Then you’ll want to integrate them properly, seeing but not touching is a good place to start so they can get used to being around each other.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does she happen to have any Polish? While it sounds like your Polish was fine with your other birds, due to the fact that their head feathers makes them look different, they may be picked on by other birds that don't look similar to them.

 

[aart]

Keep in mind that tho you really want new friends for JT, JT may not feel the same way.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article



Tips on.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/