[ghost61]

My darling girl, Sticky, who was top girl in a flock of three died yesterday.  She fell ill early afternoon and died in my arms in the early evening.  She had cheated death a couple of time before, and as a result stopped laying over two years ago.

I took the decision to get a couple of new birds today before the suppliers close for the year as I was worried that if I waited six months or so, the other two would be so used to being on their own that integration of new birds would be even harder.

Today has been a real trial.  The two elder birds have realised that their 'mother' is missing and they have called for her incessantly, quite heartbreaking to hear, and heaven knows what the neighbours think!  The bad news is that they refuse to go anywhere near the two new birds.  My birds free range in the garden, and we have enclosed the new girls in the garden in a fenced off bit, but now the other two refuse to go anywhere near them in the garden, they have preferred to stay in their run and have made no attempt to come out.

I intend to keep letting them out every morning to see if they get used to the new girls - is that the right thing to do?

I am not going to put them in the coop together tonight, as I think it best to quarantine the new girls, even though I know they have been vaccinated etc - is that the right thing also?

Any advice on dealing with my hens grief and how to get them to even look at the new girls would be much appreciated.  Perhaps I was wrong to try and inroduce new girls so quickly, but thought it would be a distraction and would help them get over Sticky's death quicker.

Many thanks

[grinling]

Quarantine is good as either the old or new girls could be carriers.
I know that if I hold one of mine and go out of site, they think that is it.

When I had to cull my head hen,it take a couple of days for a new one to emerge, it actually was Bluey, but 2 years later she has stopped laying and has just started to moult. If she was to die then Mavis who isn't next oldest will take over.

I would put extra treats for the grieving, but keep an extra eye out.

[Beekissed]

The two groups will eventually merge...just give it time.  They always do in time.  Don't be alarmed at a little scuffle now and again as they settle in, that's natural and will settle down when they've established a new pecking order. 

[Sassy]

So sorry about yoyr chook, it is always hard to lose one. Did your two remaining hens see Sticky's body? It is always wise to let all animals see their friends bodies, it really helps them to understand what has happened rather than them 'disappearing'. 

[ghost61]

Unfortunately it was my first experience of a hen dying, so didn't know what I should do.  As the others were asleep I didn't show them the body and we buried her early the next day.  So probably a mistake on my part.  One of the girls has calmed down and is almost acting normally, whereas the other is squawking every time I disappear, so she is probably worried that I'm going to disappear permanently too.

They are still ignoring the two new girls ( one of which I'm worried about too, but OH thinks that I am being over sensitive), but are eating fine and even Junior (the squawker) laid an egg this morning. 

[New shoot]

Ignoring the new girls is OK - its a form of asserting your dominance and putting others in their place, but much better than marching over and having a go through the fence.  Keep letting them out to acclimatise them to the newcomers.

Chickens love routine, so get upset when something throws this out.  They also have a very clear understanding of who is who in the pecking order, so the top hen going will bring uncertainty and a bit of stress as well.

I'm not sure how much they understand death.  Mine have stepped over a dead coop mate to get out in the morning before now, but they will know things are different and it will take them a while to adjust to this. 

If they are eating and laying, they are fine.  A bit of shouting to tell you they don't like change is to be expected 

[ghost61]

We have had to construct another exit from the run for the surviving hens, as they refuse to come out as they have to walk past the new hens.  One of those laid today, we let her out whilst the oldies were in the run and she laid in their outdoor nest - amazing! After searching for a few minutes, she found the place that the oldies use, and laid her first little egg for me in it! The other new girl was completely stressed today.  Kept putting her head under wing, and drinking too much water, was very worried but about two hours ago she is a different hen, eating lots and her poo getting more solid.

The more aggressive old girl laid this morning, but the other hasn't laid for two days now but she is eating well and has calmed down far more than her sister. 

Intend waiting until the new girls are large enough to cope with being sat on by the dominant old girl.  I don't think anyone likes someone at least twice the weight on their back!!  lol:

[grinling]

Please be aware that a buried hen might attract foxes if in your area.

[ghost61]

Big paving slab over her and surrounding area. Hopefully safe.