Problem with New Hen

[Chickens4Me]

I have just been given a new hen (speckled Sussex) I think, I put her out on the back garden yesterday in a dog cage and let my 4 warrens out. One of the warrens went straight upto the cage and tried to peck the hen andwas jumping high trying to claw the new hen, just like in cockeral fight.
I understand the best time is to put them in together on a night to roost but I would hate to think of my poor bird in the morning would she be killed or bleeding ?

[MaureenHall]

Hello Chickens4me and welcome. You're very brave taking a single hen, but well done! If it was me, I'd put her in with the others tonight when they're all settled down and see how it goes in the morning. You might have to keep her isolated during the day for a few days, but as long as she's got somewhere to hide, is able to feed and drink and have a scratch around then she should be ok. The Warrens might just be being nosy and as the new hen can't be got at, it might be a bit frustrating for them. Also, keeping the new hen in a cage might be a bit stressful for her - is there any way you can make it more comfortable with a box for shelter perhaps?

[lainey lou]

Hi Chickens4me,
Maureen gives great chicken advice, I would be inclined to do as she says and I,m sure they'll settle down. Do let us know how they get on, and welcome to the vine!

[Chickens4Me]

She has a Wooden box I made for her to go into of her own, OKI will try putting her in with the Warrens tonight

[lynda66]

i have 6 babies, and they do that quite a lot, especially if one looks at another the wrong way, and it's not just the cocks either, the girls have a go too..... they may be jealous of her posh cage ...... mine chase each other and beat each other up for one of them having a bit of food the other one wants ...... even if theres a bowl full of the same stuff..... i figure it's just them sorting their pecking order, and showing the other whos boss.

[Bephlam]

I'm with Maureen - sit the new girl on a perch in the house at night, after the others have gone to roost! They won't fight during the night - but you'll need to watch them in the morning - if they start 'bickering' then remove her again, but keep her in looking/touching distance....and then repeat the process again at night.

Eventually they'll settle....good luck to you, and well done for taking on a single girl. You're very brave!

[Chickens4Me]

Well they are all in together now, I suppose I will be out there before 1s light as they re allwaysup clucking to get out 1st light

[Chickens4Me]

Why am I been brave with jst 1 hen ?

[frias]

I think it's that if you get 2 new hens together they can share the bullying, rather than just 1 on it's own. I hope it all goes well.

[Hans Mum]

a tip from the BHWT is to spray the hen being attached with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar apparently it puts the bullys off

[Noodle]

The vinegar solution is meant to go on all of them to make them smell the same and not like there is an 'intruder' in the house. One of my bantams decided she didnt' like the new barn hens, so I put them in a little arc during the day, inside the mainrun. The bantam did exactly what your describing and attacked the wire etc. I put them all together at night and no one got hurt. After 4 days they were all out together and settlign in without any fighting, a bitof putting them in their place, but that was it. Hope it all goes ok!

[MaureenHall]

How is she coping today? Hope she's fine and that the others are leaving her alone to settle in

[Chickens4Me]

Went to let her out at 7.30 this morning all was well until one of the warrens saw her then a great fight started, so Ive taken her out again and will put her back tonight using the vinigar method. She can see the birds today but is in a cage

[lynda66]

have you put her cage in the run so they can talk to her and sort things out but not actually get to her??

[HayleyB]

I would give the vinegar a go, sounds like good sense.....