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- #11
Awesome advice. Thank you. I didn't even think of pulling my young roo until he starts acting like one. He's a pretty good roster already (heading the girls in at night, picking up things for the girlsto eat and keeping a watchful eye). I also do not ever plan on getting a bird from an auction or anything of the sort.Nothing is truly foolproof, but generally speaking, healthy looks healthy. Do NOT ever add something you feel sorry for. I would be leery of adding birds from a swap or auction, but I know people who do without a qualm.
Yes you could add a disease, but you are talking a couple of birds that is what you are risking. If it would put you into a state of decline, then don't add birds.
As to the original poster's question: Chickens hate change, do it all at once, pull the rooster, add the new birds with the other birds into the new coop. No one has home court advantage, and 2 birds + 2 birds of the same size and age, should be pretty good.
Pallets, old ladders, roosts in the run while making your run look cluttered, make it much more interesting to chickens. They can get up on or down under, sit in the shade or bask in the sun. It lets them get away from each other, out of sight for a few moments can really help with a flock.
There might be a few scuffles, add them close to dark, and let them figure it out.
MRs K
I will definitely be adding some stuff to the new coop run area for hiding and entertainment for the chickens.