Adding new chicks to an already established flock

[rjchicks]

Hello I have had a group of chickens that have been together since peeps (3 hens and a rooster). All the hens lay and are about 7 months old. I would like to add 3 more chicks to the group. My chickens are very docile and tame birds but I don't know how they would be with new birds. Would the rooster attack them or let them join. He is a Brahma rooster and is currently very hormonal. I won't introduce the chicks till they are close to their big sisters sizes but I would like opinions and techniques/strategies. Thank you

 

[silkielover5]

dont add chicks tell they are like 2 months old at least. chickens at first may not let them sleep in coop and chase them alot thats ok their just establishing pecking order

 

[Fred's Hens]

Integrating is often harder than it might seem. The social laws that govern the chicken's sense of order are really tough. I like to integrate when all birds are mature and similar size and weight. I like to have them live with a net between them for a month. See how things go when allowed to go out to the playground for recess together. If it is tough out there, it will brutal inside the coop. It takes time. Eventually, they work it out, but it takes a couple of tries and attempts. The rooster isn't always the one I worry about. A dominant hen can be just as difficult. Sometimes you have to shake up the existing order by removing the dominant for a week or two. When they are re-introduced, the order has been re-established.

 

[gpwelding1]

im having a problem with mine right now.i alredy had a wyandot roo and road island red hen,added a plymothrock roo.every thing was still fine.saturday i got six hens,an established flock.they accepted the plymouthrock roo,but they are chasing off the rir hen and the younger wyandot roo.its only been a couple off days so im hopeing this settles down.

 

[rjchicks]

Right now I only have one coop and I am nervous about putting them all together. Do you think it is better to just not get more chicks.