Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Squawk]

Hi

 

Please could someone give me some advice on introducing a hen into an existing flock? I've read a lot of the posts on the forum but I want to make sure im doing the right things.

 

Im introducing one hen (Connie) into an existing flock of three hens. I know its not ideal to introduce one hen at a time but I understand it is possible.

 

I've had her for a month now and I've been taking things very slowly.

 

The first week she was confined to her own seperate run.

Second week supervised freeranging with the old girls.

Third week supervised freeranging and supervised time in the WIR with the old girls.

Fourth week as above plus put into the old girls house once they had gone to bed and then taken out in the morning and a couple of hours a day in a segregated part of the old girls WIR.

 

Despite taking things slowly the old girls are still attacking the new hen and they wont let her free range with them in a group. Am I expecting too much too soon? Or am I being soft and I should just let them get on with it?

 

I hate to see Connie stressed and Im prepared to get her permanent seperate housing but I think it would be better for her to be part of a flock. Should I get another hen so im introducing two into the flock or is it too late now?

 

Any advice would be gratefully received - Im driving my OH mad with my worrying!

[Lewis]

It can take this long, I'd maybe just let them free range + leave them to sort out the pecking order, without it getting too rough or drawing any blood.

 

Just keep trying, I wouldn't get her a separate coop yet

[Falkor]

I am going to slightly disagree with Lewis -

 

Firstly, deep breathe and don`t worry, you are doing it right....just maybe a little too quick for your ladies is all.

 

A solo introduction can take a while.

 

Is your single hens run within in the big girls run? This can help a great deal as everybody gets used to everybody without getting at eachother.

 

Then free range them seperately, this gives sole hen a chance to get familiar with their surroundings, then after a few weeks group free ranging with a fence in between. Then joint free ranging if happy no attacks taking place trhough the fence.

 

Then I would let the solo hen move into the big girls coop og her own accord.

 

But that is just me.

[Squawk]

Hi

 

The single girl has a seperate run which is next to the WIR so they can see each other but there is a gap between the two fences. They all seem quite happy with this arrangement! But when I put the new girl into a seperate section of the old girls WIR they keep running at the dividing fence and pecking at her through the holes. The new girl gets quite stressed and doesnt eat when she is in their WIR (very unusual for her!)

 

When they free range together the old girls only attack Connie when she gets too close, so they tend to go round in seperate groups. Two of the old girls are fairly tolerant and give her warning before they attack but the hen at the bottom of the pecking order can be quite vicious and will give chase and peck her a lot on her head.

 

The solo hen is quite happy to go in the WIR. When the old girls arent looking she goes in there to eat their food! But as soon as the old girls go in there all hell breaks loose.

[sjp]

could you try putting her in the main run with one off the other 3 while the other 2 are FR so she's got a friend

[ChirpyChirpyCheepCheep]

I agree with sjp.

 

Try the lone chicken with one chicken. They may become friends and free range together, while the other two free range together.

 

Chirpy

[Squawk]

Hi

 

Thank you for alll the advice. Im not worrying nearly as much now I know im going along the right lines.

 

I've gone back a step and Connie is back in her own box at night. I tried putting her in the run with just one of the girls (Tia) and this seemed to go well with only the occasional peck. Connie still spends most of her time in a seperate run next to the old girls though.

 

Last night we had a small breakthrough as Brandy and Sherry had gone to bed leaving Tia and Connie out in their runs. I let them out while I topped up the feeders for the following day and they happily pottered round the garden together. It was so sweet to see Connie with another chicken and a big relief that things are improving.

[fluffyknickers]

Read this with interest as currently working on introductions.

 

What I have found odd is that the hen who is at the bottom of the pecking order of my old girls is the one who picks the most on the new girls.

 

Good luck.

Michelle

[Old Speckled Hen]

Read this with interest as currently working on introductions.

 

What I have found odd is that the hen who is at the bottom of the pecking order of my old girls is the one who picks the most on the new girls.

 

Good luck.

Michelle

I think that is psychologically what would be expected.

She has been picked on for sooooooooooo long, I expect it must be quite liberating to be able to dole out some aggro for a change.

[Squawk]

thats what has happened with my girls too. Brandy who is the smallest of the three "old girls" is the worst bully of the lot! She used to be the sweetest chicken of the lot until Connie arrived but now she is quite agressive when I pick her up. I had never heard a chicken making a hissing noise until now!

 

Strangely size doesnt seem to make a difference. Connie (new girl) is bigger than the other three but she doesnt seem to realise that!