What is the best way to introduce a new hen to the flock

[teignch1cken]

hello all,

I am going to pick up a new hen from another homestead. This hen is the last left of a small flock. She’s currently reported as sad and losing weight, so she needs a new home and new flock mates. I have four hens and I am wondering what is the best way to introduce her to the flock so that she is accepted by the other girls.

Our chickens run free range all day, perhaps I can put her in the coop while they are out and let them meet when they come in for the night? I have also heard that putting a chicken in the coop at night when the other girls are sleeping is a pretty seemless intro to the flock, they don’t even notice.

I want to bring this new hen back to happy health! Suggestions on how to make it easy for all hens involved?

 

[Soy Milano]

Well, here are your options - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/caring-for-newly-adopted-chicken, I would not put her in the coop when the others are sleeping. It doesn't work and puts the bird at risk of injury.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

I’d keep her separated for a week, away from your flock, out of the wind just to make sure she isn’t suffering from a disease of some sort, then if she’s not showing any signs of being sick, do the look but dont touch method for a week or two and then introduce her to your original flock.
It’d be quite risky throwing in a “sad and under weight” hen in with your original flock, you wouldn’t want her spreading any nasty diseases to them and you wouldn’t want them overly picking on her either.
Good luck!

Here’s a great article on the look but don’t touch method. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/

 

[aart]

Here's some tips and links about....
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

This may also help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, I would not take this hen, do not ever take a bird that you feel sorry for, they tend to cause huge problems in your flock, either by adding a disease or fighting, which is upsetting to you and your flock.

Anything already depressed will be a magnet for abuse if added to a flock. This is a stranger, every birds knows this is a stranger and all will want to get their pecks in regardless how nice you think your birds are.

If you insist on doing this, and it is your call, I would definitely get her eating and drinking, and make sure she is not sick and dying. Then I would pick a middle of the flock bird, and add her to the new one. This will do two things, it will act as a test to see if the new bird is carrying any disease that would infect your whole flock. And the other thing is, while this pair will duke it out, it will be one on one. Not one against 4.

When this pair settles down and becomes friends, then I would introduce the pair to the flock at first in a see, but no touch, and then eventually all together.

Mrs K

 

[teignch1cken]

Here's some tips and links about....
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

This may also help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

Awesome! So helpful. Thank you. I have the new one in her own little side pen and it seems to be working out. While my flock free ranges they sometimes walk over, only one has tried to fight her. The others seem uninterested. We’ll see as they days go on.

 

[teignch1cken]

I agree, I would not take this hen, do not ever take a bird that you feel sorry for, they tend to cause huge problems in your flock, either by adding a disease or fighting, which is upsetting to you and your flock.

Anything already depressed will be a magnet for abuse if added to a flock. This is a stranger, every birds knows this is a stranger and all will want to get their pecks in regardless how nice you think your birds are.

If you insist on doing this, and it is your call, I would definitely get her eating and drinking, and make sure she is not sick and dying. Then I would pick a middle of the flock bird, and add her to the new one. This will do two things, it will act as a test to see if the new bird is carrying any disease that would infect your whole flock. And the other thing is, while this pair will duke it out, it will be one on one. Not one against 4.

When this pair settles down and becomes friends, then I would introduce the pair to the flock at first in a see, but no touch, and then eventually all together.

Mrs K

Thanks for the insight on taking in weary birds. This particular birds story is that she is the last one left of a small flock of hens, a few of which died due to an aggressive male duck attacking them. This is what lead to her to losing weight/being sad. She is not a health risk. I did bring her home and from my personal observation she is healthy and spunky, just feeling out of place. Only one girl in our current flock seems to have an issue with her thus far- trying to fight her through her separate pen. I will try giving her a buddy and see how that goes. Thank you!