Hi, we’ve been trying to introduce 2 bantam hens to our existing flock of 3 full size hens for a week. They’re in a coop, in a 2.5m x 3m walk-in run, in a garden (can’t let them out all day due to broken fence)
Sleeping together well, but the 2 new hens won’t leave the coop without us interfering.
The original flock are still pecking the new girls a lot (no blood) with some screaming, and all they do is hide. When they’re in the garden, the bantams run away from the other hens.
When they’re out in the garden they don’t fight but they stay segregated as 2 & 3.
Do we just put food and water into the coop and let them stay in there? (We did this for 2 days already)
Do we force them to stay out?
How long should we keep trying the introduction?
It’s likely to be raining all week so they are unlikely to roam out into the garden. Happy to provide more info, trying to keep the initial post as short as possible.
Sleeping together well, but the 2 new hens won’t leave the coop without us interfering.
The original flock are still pecking the new girls a lot (no blood) with some screaming, and all they do is hide. When they’re in the garden, the bantams run away from the other hens.
When they’re out in the garden they don’t fight but they stay segregated as 2 & 3.
Do we just put food and water into the coop and let them stay in there? (We did this for 2 days already)
Do we force them to stay out?
How long should we keep trying the introduction?
It’s likely to be raining all week so they are unlikely to roam out into the garden. Happy to provide more info, trying to keep the initial post as short as possible.