advice for single chicken left after fox attack, and adding new pullets to the flock

[Julieugar]

Our free ranging flock of 5 has dwindled down because of fox attacks. Our 18 month old Wyandotte hen is the sole survivor.
We have built an enclosure to keep her safe. We brought home 4 young pullets today to add back to the flock, and so she would not be alone. The new 4 are currently fenced apart from our sole hen, but are right next to each other, in the same enclosure as they assimilate.

Our sole hen is still distressed about being alone, and she was a free ranger. Because we will keep the new group in, she should stay in with them as well. Only problem is that she squawks and is kicking up a fuss to get out. We are at a loss as what to do.
Should she be let out? I know this seems like an obvious scenario, keep her in with the new ones....but we feel bad that she's spent her life being able to go out, and have her freedom.

I'd really appreciate any advice from a keeper who has been in a similar situation. How did you navigate this?

 

[McChooky]

Our free ranging flock of 5 has dwindled down because of fox attacks. Our 18 month old Wyandotte hen is the sole survivor.
We have built an enclosure to keep her safe. We brought home 4 young pullets today to add back to the flock, and so she would not be alone. The new 4 are currently fenced apart from our sole hen, but are right next to each other, in the same enclosure as they assimilate.

Our sole hen is still distressed about being alone, and she was a free ranger. Because we will keep the new group in, she should stay in with them as well. Only problem is that she squawks and is kicking up a fuss to get out. We are at a loss as what to do.
Should she be let out? I know this seems like an obvious scenario, keep her in with the new ones....but we feel bad that she's spent her life being able to go out, and have her freedom.

I'd really appreciate any advice from a keeper who has been in a similar situation. How did you navigate this?

I imagine some of her stress is from witnessing her flock mates getting killed and some is from being locked up after having so much freedom .I wouldn't worry about her because it won't take long for her to adapt .I added a sole survivor to my flock a couple years ago and she's the best hen I've got.I added her to a flock of 4 and they're very close now. I didn't free range at the time but started last summer. I don't free range mine from daylight to dark like most people,I only do it a couple hrs a day to lower the risk

 

[Mrs. K]

If you free range her, the fox will be back.

 

[McChooky]

Your hens world was turned upside down when the flock was killed by a fox .She wants out because she doesn't know any of them not because she wants to free range.

 

[McChooky]

If you free range her, the fox will be back.

Something got 2 of mine a couple months ago in the backyard.
Now they only hang out in the front yard or driveway.

 

[Yakisugi Coop]

When we moved away from free range our chickens were upset but they got used to it over time. Eventually they stopped expecting to be let out.

 

[Kayler2699]

Chickens are actually more intelligent than we give them credit for. They feel emotions just as we do. As others have said your hen just saw her flock mates killed. She needs time to mentally heal from that. I would give her time and love. You did do the right thing by getting her a new flock right away. Chickens are very social animals and need to be around other chickens. As I said earlier they feel emotions like we do. Chickens don’t like to be alone and so you helped her in her healing process by getting her a new flock. It will take time to adjust to the new flock but in time she will.

 

[McChooky]

When my neighbors dogs chased a silver laced wyandotte on top of my brothers house we climbed up there and got her off then ran the dog home.We still have the hen and she bonded with my flock.She was so traumatized by them killing the whole flock and chasing her n the roof she didn't lay for over a year.