Adding new chickens

[Anicholesz]

I recently lost a chicken that was at the top of the pecking order so I thought it would be a good time to add more to my flock. I have 4 original hens and added 4. One of the new ones seems to be the most dominant but while they haven't fought at all (they have lots of room to avoid each other) she is the only one sleeping in the coop. Mine always went in at dusk and I would shut the door behind them but now they prefer my lawn chair. The weakest of the new addition hides in a pine tree. My question is should I force them all in at night or will they eventually merge on their own?

 

[Mrs. K]

if they are the same size, and you are adding about equal numbers, I really have never had too much trouble, I think I would move them in there tonight, so that you can lock them up and they are safe. I think they may be pretty ok tomorrow.

 

[Anicholesz]

Do you think that that will ever start going in on their own? Because I have such a large area for them I am concerned that they will never interact and continue to avoid the newcomers causing problems during bad weather (and at night). If I continue to force them together will they catch on or am I wasting my time? Or even making it worse and more traumatic?

 

[aart]

You might try leaving them locked up in the coop for a few days, if it's large enough to allow some combat and retreat..and keep a watch in case there's excessive blood drawn.

I wonder if the new dominachix haha is keeping the rest of the flock out of the coop?