Vida Winter Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 We recently had a chicken die in an accident (we were on vacation, neighbor young boy involved, no one knows exactly what happened). Is it possible to introduce a new (full grown) hen to an existing flock of three hens that have been together since birth? We have three golden sex-link hens. We are not sure what breed we can get -- it may be completely different from our hens. Is there anything we could do to improve our chances of success? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 We've done it. There were a couple of fights to establish pecking order but it all resolved quite quickly. Our hens tend to gather with who they "know" from earlier in life. It might be better to get two more hens so they would have a "friend." This is just what I have noticed with our small flock anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Chickens come and go here all the time. They'll work it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Thanks. We'll give it a try. It would be crowding them a bit too much to add two hens so it would just be adding one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 (edited) I do it all the time. It's best done at night. I also have a friend who has been raising chickens for 2 decades. She swears by tossing flour all over the other birds as you add new ones (at night). I've also put new birds in pens right on the other side of the main pen. They can check each other out that way. After a few days, I put them together outside, and they seem to do fine. The newer ones do need a bit of help finding their way back to the main pen. I usually wait at the main gate, and one of my kids, walks behind the crowd, herding them my way. It seems to work. They do have issues roosting at times. Everyone likes their particular spot, although they seem to work it out fine. I've never had a chicken kill another chicken, although they do sometimes tangle at first. Edited August 7, 2012 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I do it all the time. It's best done at night. I also have a friend who has been raising chickens for 2 decades. She swears by tossing flour all over the other birds as you add new ones (at night). I've also put new birds in pens right on the other side of the main pen. They can check each other out that way. After a few days, I put them together outside, and they seem to do fine. The newer ones do need a bit of help finding their way back to the main pen. I usually wait at the main gate, and one of my kids, walks behind the crowd, herding them my way. It seems to work. They do have issues roosting at times. Everyone likes their particular spot, although they seem to work it out fine. I've never had a chicken kill another chicken, although they do sometimes tangle at first. :confused::confused: why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 :confused::confused: why? Doesn't hurt them, and throws them off a bit. They can get to grooming and ignore the newcomers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyB in TN Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Doesn't hurt them, and throws them off a bit. They can get to grooming and ignore the newcomers. Maybe I should do that when the mean boys from the neighborhood wander over to play. They always cause a ruckus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 I love these ideas! Now to find a chicken...thanks again, everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltop Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I have also heard that it is best to do it at night and to do something that will distract them the next morning... I like the flour idea. Good luck finding a chicken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Doesn't hurt them, and throws them off a bit. They can get to grooming and ignore the newcomers. This is hilarious! My boys will get a kick out of this. But they will probably beg for another chicken just so we can try it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Maybe I should do that when the mean boys from the neighborhood wander over to play. They always cause a ruckus. :smilielol5: I'm picturing the scene... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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