Query about rehoming my hen

[Sue]

I think I've found a home for my lovely silver laced wyandotte who is bullying the sussex! A neighbour up the road from me keeps a few hens (4 hens and a cock) and she has just lost one of the hens through some problem with her crop. She has offered a home to my dotte, but I am wondering whether she will be ok, as she will be the only one being introduced to the others. They are all 12 months older than her and were all hatched at the same time. My question is this - as there is a cock amongst them does this mean that there won't be any squabbles between the hens, or does the usual settling in pecking happen anyway? Will she be ok as an 'only' bird being introduced?

 

[Marigold]

Yes, I'd say go for it, if you're happy with the idea of her new home. As she's an adult, she'll probably find her place more easily than a young pullet who's still more submissive, and if there's a nice boyfriend as well, she'll think the change is marvellous. This situation happened to me a few weeks ago, when my Speckledy was really terrifying some new pullets I'd just got. She was previously a very quiet hen, bottom of the heap having been the last one to be introduced to the run, but when the newcomers arrived it really went to her head, and as she was a large lady I was afraid she's really damage them. I was so relieved when my friend offered to have her, and although she was chased a bit, of course, she is now quite happy and busy having a go at some new birds he's just bought...

 

[Chuck]

The presence of a male does not mean there will be no quarelling when a new hen enters the home. Some males are better at sorting out squabbles than others. All you can do is try it as where ever she goes she will run into settling in problems.

I've read somewhere that some people spray al the chickens while they are on their perches at night with perfume so that they all smell the same in the morning. New chickens are best introduced at night. Never tried it but maybe someone else here has.

 

[dawn]

I've added two new pullets to my (very small) flock recently. The head hen was quite unpleasant but went broody after a few days so I put her in the broody coop to try and break her of it. Without her around all was calm, and now when she comes out after everyone else has laid and I've shut the nest box up she's much better with the new ones. Also my rooster is very protective of them now whereas he wasn't before, he comes running if they cry when pecked and breaks it up.

So roosters can be a help, but if ever I introduce new ones again I shall shut up the bully for a few days if there are problems. I've read on here that works, but never tried it before.

The new ones have their revenge though, the broody went into the cat basket last night as she's stubborn and the broody coop hasn't worked. I found the new ones sitting on top of it pooing on her this morning :lol: