4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Chillicat]

Poachy's brother, Hector, has gone...............and she's now in the cube with one and three 's.

They all free range during the day, without any bother.

Our routine is to let them out of the run mid morning, usually after they have all laid. At dusk, they go back into the run with some treats, then they take themselves to bed.

Poachy is a 20 week old, shy Buff Sussex, and her second night in with the others, (last night) was quite upsetting.

Naturally, the four won't let Poachy near the treats When the , who is at the bottom of the pecking order, has a bit of a go at her, Poachy cowers in the corner of the run and tries to hide, poor thing

She's now in the garden, completetly on her own. I know it's early days, but is she likely to be lonely?

Should I add to the flock as soon as I can or just continue?

What would you do?

[Mazzarina]

Poor little thing! I don't have any expertise on integrating single chickens into established flocks, but there's various other threads on the subject round here. All I would say is that she'd get very sad being on her own in the eglu, if that's what's happening now - so if I were you I would consider getting a couple more as companions, or following those steps to integrate a new chicken (ie. her) into the flock which are outlined on the forum. I hope Poachy gets some new friends! Good luck.

[The Dogmother]

It's early days and I'd resisit adding to your flock when you have this sort of problem - increase the number of food stations and just keep you eye on her - things will settle down, but you need to watch out that they don't start peking her

[dancing cloud]

You could try putting one of the others with Poachy in the for a few days and maybe alternating which one, so they get split up and she's not completely outnumbered? Might help her find a friend amongst them.

 

I've yet to introduce any newbies to my six and have my name on the list for three more ex-batts in March, so I always follow introduction posts with interest. Please let us know how you get on.

[Olly]

Sounds similar to my situation, my new (adopted) chicken is still getting mugged, but when I kept her in the separate run she spent all her time up at the adjoining fence, and every time I let them out to free range she put herself to bed in the Cube. I concluded that despite them being so horrible to her, she was desperately lonely! (I was putting her in the Cube at night anyway).

 

I have lots of food stations, and she is not being pecked, so although I hate seeing her sitting in a corner or perching on the branch to get out of the way of the bully, I think she is better off than being on her own and I'm hoping as time goes on she will integrate more.

 

I have wondered about dancing-cloud's suggestion, i.e. putting her in the introduction run with one of the others, as two of them seem to have accepted her ok.

[chocchick]

It could take weeks to settle. I've only ever had problems with Megan settling in (from 3 introductions). She still gets shooed/pecked away from food and is timid (runs when food is thrown), but she goes around with Abbie and the 3 of them preen/flock together after many months and a change in head chicken.

She did try and fly for freedom twice in the first week so I ended up shutting her inside.

I also separated her at one point and she escaped back with the others.

 

I do still wonder about adding something like a cuddly Silkie she can snuggle under (she's an overgrown chick ) and starting a second flock, Silkies are supposed to be bottom of the pecking order as difficulty seeing OH says no

She would prefer her familiar flock now I think.......

[Chillicat]

Yes, flying for freedom - she did that tonight She landed ontop of the cube but was happy for me to scoop her into my arms and have a cuddle

ANYTHING, as long as she didn't have to go in with those and

I think she will be my best friend because she's so cuddly and she was VERY happy to just be in my arms

I don't know where I got the strength from but I decided to persevere and get her tucked up into the cube with the others ..... when all I was thinking was that I could smuggle her into the house without OH knowing and take her to bed with me

I know I did the right thing..........didn't I?