Silvermorgan Moon Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 I helped out a friend by rehoming a single adult hen to put in with my 3 girls. I initially said no as I was worried about introducing 1 to 3 but gave in to help out. They were kept separate initially (newbie escaped once and left to the next door farm!) and then introduced over a few days with just small spats to let the newbie know the pecking order. They are now altogether in the eglu, WIR and free range in a fenced area during the day. My OH put up some roosting bars in the WIR and for the last 3 days the newbie seems to spend all her time sitting up on the roosting bar out of the way of the others. She just dozes all day and seems to only eat when we lock the others out. I'm worried she will get ill, should I invest in a second coop and start from scratch again? Perhaps I rushed things as they didn't seem too bad? Any ideas would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Is there any blood being drawn? If not, I'd be inclined to leave things as they are since all the hens are now in together. Make sure there are at least a couple of food and water stations so that your new hen gets a chance to eat and drink without being chased off by the old girls. Perhaps place food and water near her perch if you can (coop cups are good for this). It sounds like you have different perches, but if there are places for her to jump out of the way/hide it will make things easier. Don't expect her to slot right in, even after the bullying stops. I introduced a lone hen last year, who sadly was only with me for a few months, but it took her a little while to become part of the flock, despite immediately establishing herself as top hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvermorgan Moon Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 Hi Lavender Thanks for the advice. There's no blood being drawn but the newbie seems so unhappy and worringly lethargic. On line checking out emergency houses but may just need to find some other feed stations. What are coop cups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 Click here for coop cups. The plastic galley pots on this page would be fine for temporary food/water stations. You can probably pick up something similar from your local pet shop without needing to order online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 We successfully rehomed a lone hen - it did take a while for her to be accepted. We gave her extra levels to escape to and put extra feed and water stations on these levels (coop cups are fine), and in the last few weeks she has finally been accepted. We used to let the others out so she could have some peace in the cube for a while, but also made her come out when she chose not to ( a bit of tough love) and we got there, eventually! Definitely try the extra feed stations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 What you're describing sounds pretty normal. As long as she can eat and drink - and the coop cups are ideal - leave them to it. You'll suddenly realise that she has stopped hiding/perching up high, and is gradually joining in more. She may be bottom hen for a long time but she'll be happy knowing her place. You say she seems lethargic, but she may well just be keeping a low profile. If she eats and drinks when it's on offer, and if she scoffs up treats, then she's probably ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Our Bluebell was badly bullied, when we introduced two at the same time. The white star settled in straightaway, and even joined in the bullying of her "old" friend. She was very dejected and would often go into the coop to hide, but when we kept her separated to give her a break she looked even more sad . However, It has now been 5 weeks, and Bluebell is a firmly established flock member, she is straight in there when there is treats on offer and pushes the others out of the way to get to it, she does still get the odd peck but she is a much happier girl these days. So happy in fact she laid her first egg today Very proud parents! It is awfully hard to look on, but she did seem happier being with the others even when they were being so mean to her, it is just hard to persevere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvermorgan Moon Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Thanks for all your advice, it's good to hear that others have got through the same issues Bought some coop cups today, Kept Ruby separarted from the others, she still stayed on the perch but came down for some sweetcorn. Sure if she could she'd throw herself at a passing fox to just end it all! Coop cups in place for tomorrow will persevere and hope she comes round, others are ignoring her completley now so hope it wont be long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 , others are ignoring her completley now so hope it wont be long Sounds like you're nearly there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Sure if she could she'd throw herself at a passing fox to just end it all! Sorry, that's made me smile! I know it looks horrible, but remember this is normal for hens - they don't have our emotions, and actually she is probably not as depressed and scared as we think. She's naturally staying away from painful pecks, but in the process she is establishing her place in the pecking order. When I introduced a lone hen she actually put herself to bed in the Cube that I was then using, because she was clearly desperate to be with the other chickens, despite the fact that they were pecking and snapping at her all the time. Just stick it out, and you'll be amazed at how quickly she blends in with the flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvermorgan Moon Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Sure if she could she'd throw herself at a passing fox to just end it all! LOL it was tongue in cheek. Looks like she's decided to sleep out under the stars on her perch tonight! She's secure in the WIR so she'll be safe from passing foxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
