Need advice on introducing tame juvenile

[JessChook]

I rescued a Barred Rock Juvenile (probably 12 weeks) from a local park and have been keeping it indoors in a wire dog crate.

It seems to have had little experience with the outdoors, is hand tame, and is clinging to me.
I need some tips on stepped integrating it into my flock as Im worried its experience thus far is setting it up for failure.

I live in southern Illinos (USDA hardy zone 6b) and have a laying flock of 5 hens in a generous run, coop, and fenced yard. It does get very cold here, rains a lot and snows once or twice. Its been raining for days so introductions, yard exposure have been slowed. Any advice? Tips?

Loving the cuddles but tired of the stray poop.

 

[BDutch]

How big is the difference between inside and outside? You can’t bring a young chicken outside if the temperature change is very big.

Normally you let a new chicken get accustomed to the flock by fencing of (see don’t touch) . After a week or two you can open the fence and if there is no serious attack (no blood/ no wounds) the new bird will be accepted.

Maybe you could start putting her in a fenced area within the coop for 1-2 hours day and build it up. During the rest of the day and night she should not be in the house in a warm and heated area.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think the sooner the better. I am strongly inclined to think that this bird is probably a rooster that someone dumped. Do you think it looks like a rooster?

I would not worry about the temperature so much, as the rain and wind. A lot depends on your set up. Do you have wind shelter outside? If you worry about it, at least get him out there for 3-5 hours, one day, a little longer the next day and then out full time.

Can you let your birds out of the run/coop into your backyard. If so, lock the new bird in the set up. This will let him explore without being chased. Let the girls back in as near dark as possible. If it will fit in your set up, put a cage or a box in the coop, with the new bird inside for the night.

Do have hideouts in your set up, and multiple feed bowls. In small set ups, pin-less peepers on the original birds for a week, could really smooth this transition out. Just an idea.

Mrs. K

 

[centrarchid]

Do transfer outside when weather mild. Consider keeping him in a dog crate within their bigger pen during intial introduction. Watch for problems when he is introduced.

 

[NatJ]

I am strongly inclined to think that this bird is probably a rooster that someone dumped. Do you think it looks like a rooster?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sexing-rescued-juvenile-barred-rock.1505885/

This thread has photos, and the responses are unanimous that it is a pullet.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well, that is a possibility...I would add her the same way.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you have a roomy run?

I made an integration pen inside my run last summer: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mini-coop-or-integration-pen-from-a-large-dog-crate.76593/

 

[JessChook]

How big is the difference between inside and outside? You can’t bring a young chicken outside if the temperature change is very big.

Normally you let a new chicken get accustomed to the flock by fencing of (see don’t touch) . After a week or two you can open the fence and if there is no serious attack (no blood/ no wounds) the new bird will be accepted.

Maybe you could start putting her in a fenced area within the coop for 1-2 hours day and build it up. During the rest of the day and night she should not be in the house in a warm and heated area.

Big difference right now. 25 vs. 72. Sounds like a plan. Thanks

 

[JessChook]

I think the sooner the better. I am strongly inclined to think that this bird is probably a rooster that someone dumped. Do you think it looks like a rooster?

I would not worry about the temperature so much, as the rain and wind. A lot depends on your set up. Do you have wind shelter outside? If you worry about it, at least get him out there for 3-5 hours, one day, a little longer the next day and then out full time.

Can you let your birds out of the run/coop into your backyard. If so, lock the new bird in the set up. This will let him explore without being chased. Let the girls back in as near dark as possible. If it will fit in your set up, put a cage or a box in the coop, with the new bird inside for the night.

Do have hideouts in your set up, and multiple feed bowls. In small set ups, pin-less peepers on the original birds for a week, could really smooth this transition out. Just an idea.

Mrs. K

That is an interesting idea re letting it stay inside the run while the other birds free-range. Re sex, I thought it might be a cockerel but in a separate post everyone said pullet. Re hideouts, not really though I could certainly devise some.

Lastly, ive never heard of pin-less peepers. Ill look them up. Thanks.

 

[JessChook]

Do you have a roomy run?

I made an integration pen inside my run last summer: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mini-coop-or-integration-pen-from-a-large-dog-crate.76593/

It's pretty roomy for just 6 total. I will build an enclosure inside it.