Ok...happened upon a rescue hen...she is in a poor state...when do I put her in with the others?

[CheeryCherry]

Anyone any experience of introducing new hens?
Have had her in a small run while she gets used to being free and learning how to be a chicken....she is lovely! But rather bald and prone to panic.
Only got her on Saturday, have put her alongside our other girls.
How much does it upset the balance?
Thanks for any ideas.

Anyone?!

Take your time.

It can take a very loooooong time! I'm several weeks in to introducing 2 new Silkies to my existing three hybrids and they still hate each other.

Put her into the coop when it's dark. Apparently, hens dont fight each other at night in the coop. Then let her find her own way out in the morning.

Put extra feeding and watering stations around so your other hens dont think she's nicking their food and she can get some as well.

Try to interfer with this process as little as possible. The more you interfer, the longer it takes.. Trust me....this is where I went wrong because I couldn't stop meddling!

What are you going to call her? How did you end up with her?

Doodle2u. Thanks for that...she had been left behind when the van came to take them
away...she is one lucky lady! The farmer gave her to a friend who didnt want her, but thought we would!
She is less shy already and we have put her cage in with the others, they all seem curious but not aggressive yet. Will try take my time but I cant wait for her to be free with them!