introducing one hen

[davefromthechipie]

Hi all
Just a few problems im not sure about . Il getto the point ,The lady next door had *2 ex batts one died the other day So shes left with one . Will this chicken be ok on its own ?? another idea i had was to let her have one of my ex batts But then she dosnt have a 2nd pen/hun/run to introduce slowly .SO what do you think you/i should do ?

Many thanks david

[chicken slave]

1 will be awful lonely by itself and will probably follow it's friend. Really she should introduce 2 new ones and then when the older girl pops off the other 2 can keep each other company. I have never personally had to introduce 1 as I have 13 with another 6 due to hatch, but they do say it it best to introduce in pairs or groups (I assume that is into another flock)but with you there is only the one.

Personally I would give it a go and let them roam the garden together and see how they get on, 1-1 is not going to have quite as much damage as if you introduce 1 into the group.

[MaureenHall]

Oh dear, that's a difficult one and one that just proves why you should always get a minimum of 3 birds in case 1 dies. Have you room yourself to be able to put her near your girls so that she's accepted by them? If so, then you could do that for a couple of weeks, then give her back with a couple of yours (if you can spare them). Just a thought, but that lone chook will be very unhappy without company

[Eyren]

When one of my first pair of chickens died, I got two young (just about point-of-lay) bantams, and had very little trouble integrating them. TBH I think that after a couple of weeks by herself, my hen was too glad of the company to object, and because the other two were still young, they didn't gang up on her.

Of course you can never guarantee how animals are going to react to one another, but one resident bird vs two newbies is pretty even odds, provided none of them is particularly aggressive. I would second the suggestion to get two replacements, though, otherwise your neighbour will keep getting the same problem, esp with ex-batts which tend to have a shorter lifespan.

[davefromthechipie]

Oh dear, that's a difficult one and one that just proves why you should always get a minimum of 3 birds in case 1 dies. Have you room yourself to be able to put her near your girls so that she's accepted by them? If so, then you could do that for a couple of weeks, then give her back with a couple of yours (if you can spare them). Just a thought, but that lone chook will be very unhappy without company

Thanks maureen that seems to be the best option I do have 2 henhouses and a removable run i can put in my main pen . I would try just taking one of my birds over but cant risk it as im working most of the day .il she what she thinks tomorrrow when she's back from holiday

Thanks again
David

[Flummery]

There's an article in the April GYO magazine (seed company voucher will be fine, thanks, editor!) about just this problem. See if you can get hold of a copy. Otherwise, Maureen's advice is sensible (it always is!) Gosh I'm in a creeping mood today!

[yoanbob]

we introduced a single hen to a single hen without any problems, we did get a few more after a couple of weeks though, Id go with mareen

[vicky]

Could you give her your littlest most bullied hen? I introduced 1 also and after initial sizing each other up there was not toooo much violence! Very kind of you to do this for her!

[davefromthechipie]

There's an article in the April GYO magazine (seed company voucher will be fine, thanks, editor!) about just this problem. See if you can get hold of a copy. Otherwise, Maureen's advice is sensible (it always is!) Gosh I'm in a creeping mood today!

Funny you say that I just got back from work And laying on my front door mat is my April copy of GYO mag

Could you give her your littlest most bullied hen? I introduced 1 also and after initial sizing each other up there was not toooo much violence! Very kind of you to do this for her!

Before i had to leave this morning I went over to hers with some chicken wire food,water and devided her run up and put my 3rd from bottem ( pecking order ) in there . At 1st there was some fighting /jumping up at the wire then it seemed ok but have to say my hen was very load and well putout then let her out with the her hen I think her ones going to be top dog so to speak .Stayed for 1 hour but didnt want to risk it so took her home for today intill she gets home from holiday. Il worry about her reintroduce to my flock when it comes to it ,Im hoping my incubator is working so il have alot of new ones to mix in a few months
Thanks all for your help again
david