tdf010604 Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 I have 3 hens who have been together for a year and have today brought a new hen home to join the group. She is at the moement in the coop, isolated, so the others can see her (and cluck at her) since this afternoon, but now it is approaching bedtime, the original 3 are at the end of the outdoor WIR and showing no signs of going inside. I think it's because the new one is inside the indoor part of the coop, so should I move her out of the way until the others have gone to bed and then pop her in with them? If I don't move her, it could be a looooong night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Some advice on managing intros here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdf010604 Posted June 9, 2013 Author Share Posted June 9, 2013 Thank you egluntyne, I will keep her isolated, I have managed to get the others inside now so they are safe will dig out my torch for a check up later...x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdf010604 Posted June 15, 2013 Author Share Posted June 15, 2013 Can anybody help..? After keeping her isolated, but in sight of my others, last night after a week, I let her sleep in the nest box...she went in first, and there were grumbles when the others went to bed, but no pecking... They all came out together this morning, but my others are attacking her as soon as she goes anywhere in the outdoor run, she is currently seeking refuge behind the compost bin, knowing as soon as they find her it will start again... Is there anything I could/should be doing? It's making me so sad to think that last week, she was happy with her flock, now she is too scared to step foot outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 It is difficult to introduce one hen to an existing group. Do you have the space to introduce the new one to just one of your girls and once they have got used to each other and sorted out thier pecking order introduce this two to the other two? Good luck Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdf010604 Posted June 15, 2013 Author Share Posted June 15, 2013 I'll try that with the least dominant one and work upwards, thank you... I am considering maybe going back to the farm and getting another from the same flock to boost her numbers, stupid question but would she remember after a "sister" after a week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I think getting another one is a good idea. I think other people have got a second hen 2 a week later and it's gone ok. It should be easier with 2 - safety in numbers! Good luck, it's hard to watch . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdf010604 Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 I am home all day today, so have let all of them into the big garden to free range... Normally my old 3 would love this and be off underneath the trees for hours, but today they have decided to stay in the walk in run, with the gate open so the newbie can't get back in... It's almost as if they are guarding the coop, ironically it's full of pigeons pinching the corn because the door is open and they aren't taking a blind bit of notice of them! Is this normal (mean girl) behaviour? Not sure if I can handle it for much longer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdf010604 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 So it's taken almost 2 weeks, but tonight, grudgingly the oldies let the newbie into bed I decided to free range them completely for the last 2 days and whilst she gave them a wide berth and they aren't bosom buddies just yet, I can FINALLY see that it might work Lets hope for nice dry weather so I can continue with the free ranging (followed by a downpour to wash away the poo on the grass before my husband sees it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
