Introducing new birds

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Hi,
Yesterday I bought 2 new bantams to add to my 4 in the garden. So far, so good. I even clipped their wings myself, which wasn't half as frightening as I thought it would be. Here's where the problems start...

After putting the new welsummer cross down in the run, she just took flight - I don't think she's read the rule book about not being able to fly to well with a clipped wing - or perhaps I didn't cut enough off?
Anyway, I rounded up all the neighbours and we set off after her in a quadruple pincer movement, climbing over peoples fences etc and generally getting in the way - in fact Benny Hill would have been very pleased with us!! Everyone was fine about it, but my little beauty just disappeared into thin air. I notified the vet, just in case, but i've got no hope of getting her back as she doesn't know where she's supposed to be. I'll chalk that up to experience, I think.

So, the problem...what to do with my remaining little, timid plymouth rock? I know I can't introduce her alone, so, at the moment, I've borrowed a spare hutch/run for her. The others were going mad, but they've calmed down now. I tried putting the pekin at the bottom of the pecking order in with her for a few minutes to see what happened, but it didn't go well.

I was thinking that I need to get another single bantam hen and leave them together for a week or so before putting both of them in the main enclosure.

Is this the right thing to do? and won't the new introduction just beat up the plymouth rock? or this just the natural order of things?

All advice most gratefully received.

Thanks a lot.
Liz
 
Hi, firstly you should always put the new birds into the coop/shed not the run and it is better to do it at night when all is calm :) I would wait until dark then get some vinegar- yes, strange i know! spray your new hen with it and put her into the coop on the perch with your other hens- also give them a spray - hens regonise each other by smell as well as sight. There will be some fighting - its unavoidable- you just have to bite the bullet and let them get on with it- as long as no one is getting seriously hurt they will sort it out- make sure you have at least two feeders/water cotainers so everyone gets something to eat/drink- they will settle down eventually and you only need to clip one wing- but most birds can still fly to a certain extent. Hope your pullet turns up soon, good luck, #regards, David :)
 
Hi Liz.

Poor little thing out on her own, but don't despair, she might not have gone far.
I had a bantam that decided next doors garden was much nicer than her own run & flew over the 6'6" fence into next door. They have a HUGE garden (we dread the day they sell up as its bound to be sold for development :? ) anyway, I was at work, she'd been there most of the day, pottering around & eating their wild bird seed. They didn't know where she'd come from (they didn't know I kept chooks then) & started asking all the neighbours then got to me. It was getting dusk & she'd decided to roost in their laurel bush even though her own cosy house & all her friends were only the other side of the fence.
After a few fun & games I got her home.

I know yours doesn't know where she lives but ask all the neighbours, put notices up everywhere, (we found a lost cat this way once, its surprising who reads them) You never know. Good luck.
 
Sorry to hear she escaped.

Echoing others, she may well reappear somewhere close by. Chooks are very good at hiding in deep undergrowth and you can easily miss them.

Whenever introducing new hens always put them directly into the hen house at night. Putting them in there means a) they should hopefully be more quickly accepted by the others b) when they wake in the morning they will head out when they are ready and start forming a bond with their 'home' straight away. Putting them into a run during the day doesn't give them a chance to do this and they can spook and get lost.

If she managed to fly you possibly didn't cut enough off the wing to prevent her getting some distance. With some breeds they can still fly well even with a clipped wing. Although not as far as with an unclipped wing.

If getting a new hen to go with the other, I'd do it soon and let them spend a few days together before introducing them to the others. Put them together at night and they should be fine. Then do the same with the main group a few days later.

However, having said the above, it is also worth keeping any new hens in quarantine for a while to ensure they are not bringing in anything harmful to your other birds.
 
Hi,
My little lost bantam has turned up.
Does anyone have any idea on how to catch a bird that won't go here humans, can run like Greased Lightening and flies beautifully with a clipped wing?
Help.
Liz
 
i always herd birds like that with a tomato cane in either hand waving them, it apparently makes you look like a bigger bird lol.
Hubby has used a fishing net to catch birds that were very flighty.
So glad it turned up, try some corn or mealworm treats to try to tame the bird a little
Good luck :)
 
Glad she is safely back if not caught!If you cant get her you may be able to pick her up if you watch carefully to see where she settles for the night and get her when she starts dozing off ,or shut others up and leave coop/run door open -she might just go in. My version of GRs tomato cane is a long drain rod with a rubber flange on the end --my most used piece of ckickenphenalia! Ros
 
I'd be inclined to do the old crumb trail, keep your distance and slowly bring her closer to the other chooks. Once she is close enough, put the others somewhere she can see them but they cannot escape from and then leave the run door open for her to wander in and join them. Chances are, if there is some food and water on offer and the other chooks nearby she will take herself in.

If you have someone helping you, slowly herding her from behind to encourage her in the right direction it should be fine. Just keep your distance and don't spook her.

If you are quick, once she is close to the hen house you could possibly throw a net or a large towel over her. But be warned, if you miss her or she escapes it, chances are she'll just take off again and go hide.
 
She's disappeared again, but she'll be around somewhere. I went out and bought myself a huge net from the tackle shop to aid me when she next turns up. Fingers crossed.
Liz
 
If you spot where she is going to roost,you will be able to go and pick her up when she's asleep,as long as she isn't 15' up or something :D .
 
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