New Hen

[Winterland]

So a little while ago I lost one of my hens to waterbelly, she was my first ever chicken . I decided I wanted to add a few more hens to the flock because I was down to 2 roosters (father and son duo) and 2 hens now. I was able to get 1 hen and ended up with 4 older chicks that should be girls. The new hen- Madeleine- is super skittish and the original owner said she was being bullied before and didn’t have a place for her. I’m wondering if I should keep her alone until the chicks are a bit older to mix with her and then later try to mix them with my other flock (she’s gotta quarantine for 4 weeks anyway) or if I should try something else. She’s afraid of the dogs, cats and me but paces and seems to want to join the other chickens. This is my first time taking in a fully grown hen so any suggestions- especially when it comes to how to get a roo or other hens to warm up to her- would be appreciated

 

[Debbie292d]

She's so pretty!

I'm assuming she's where she can see the others and they can see her? It sounds like they're close.

If they're in close proximity, I'd cut that quarantine down to two weeks, as if she were Marek's positive, she's already spread that to them. I'd just keep an eye on her for anything out of the ordinary.

You could get her to warm up to YOU by bringing her, (better make some for the others too) some scrambled eggs. No chicken can pass up those and they're healthier than mealworms. Another healthy "treat" my adults and chicks love is wetting their crumbles in a dish. They pretty much gobble that down.

For when you let her blend with them, I'd see how it goes. If you've got any that seem aggressive to her, take them out and let her hang out with the nicer ones. Then after a few days, let the bully(s) join back. If you removed more than one, just let one back in at a time.

 

[Mrs. K]

It is very difficult to add a single bird (especially one that is already been a victim) to an established flock. If you want to do that, I would introduce her to the senior rooster first. If they click it should help, but sometimes it won't.

It is better to add more to less. If the above does not work, I would add the new chicks to her. Wait until that sorts out, and then add that group to the established group.

A real problem when people start separating birds, is it generally means a smaller space, and less space is harder on adding new birds. You are basically more than doubling your flock if I counted right. What are the measurements in your coup and run.

Setting up hideouts - like pallets leaned agains the wall, or pallets up on cement blocks, mini walls, large totes, ladders or roosts out in the run can really help. Add clutter, and adding a lot of it, makes more use of the vertical space and lets birds get out of sight of each other, which can really help.

A picture of your set up could really help us help you.

I would have pin less peepers on hand. They can really help get over the worst of it with small flocks.

Mrs K