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

[bellerock]

Hi

 

Any tips for peacefully integrating a new chook to a very cosy pair?

 

The existing pair of chooks are very nasty and have been bullying the new chook, so much so that since getting her on Sat 20th June she sleeps in a cardboard box in the shed and in forbidden by the others to enter the run..never mind the eglu.

 

I've put out extra food and water bowls around the garden, but new chook is chased away from them by others when why spot her feeding.

 

Would it be kinder to rehome her as it's heartbreaking to seeing her so shunned and miserable?

 

 

Thanks

[The Dogmother]

It's never easy introducing one hen to an established flock; I usually recommend getting at least two newbies (probably why I have so many hens! ).

 

Have a look at this post in the FAQ section for some pointers

[Olly]

It is possible, I introduced one to four earlier this year - follow the tips in the FAQ to the letter. You'll have to go back to the very beginning - put her in a separate run so they can see her but not actually attack her, then gradually the tension should reduce a bit. Take it very slowly, it's weeks not days.

 

I managed with a spare Eglu run which I attached to one side of the Cube, and a cat-basket to use as a nesting-box/roosting until I could get home to pop her in bed with the others. A dog-crate would do, or if yours are used to free-ranging maybe you could keep the newbie in the run?

 

She probably doesn't feel as miserable as you or I would in that situation - it's part of chicken behaviour and she may always be bottom of the pecking-order.

[Porkypie]

Hello. I am also in the process of introducing one to two and I've had similar feelings to you about it all. However, it will be 3 weeks tomorrow for my newbie and things are definately going in the right direction, just more slowly than I'd hoped I'm confident though now that it will be OK in the end and that taking it slowly and being patient is the right approach. I built her her own little house (used a cardboard box to start with too) but from next week will start putting her in with the others after it's dark and getting up early to retrieve her. She is in an adjacent run to the others when I'm not around and they have been free ranging together when I am. I was worried that she'd start to get really lonley and sad but she seems absolutely fine and her confidence seems to be growing at she matures. Please don't give up - things will improve. I'd be interested to hear how things go.

[bellerock]

Thank you all for your advice and encouragement. I will persevere with the situation. Existing two chooks are slightly more tolerant when all out in the garden together but will keep them sleeping separately for a while longer and start to build a annexe to the eglu.