Adding new hens...advice?

[UrbanChickensUT]

I have a small flock of 4 hens that were born on June 25 of this year. The flock contains a barred rock, buff Orpington, ameraucana and golden comet. I just brought two blue wyandottes home from the same breeder that were born three days after my original 4, but the new hens seem smaller. She still had them in a small stack of cages. The original flock has been together for one month and I noticed that the new birds are getting pecked at so I sectioned off an area of their run with hardware cloth. Hopefully this will prevent them from fighting. Any ideas on how I can peacefully add the two new hens to the original four?

 

[tdhenson86]

I have a small flock of 4 hens that were born on June 25 of this year. The flock contains a barred rock, buff Orpington, ameraucana and golden comet. I just brought two blue wyandottes home from the same breeder that were born three days after my original 4, but the new hens seem smaller. She still had them in a small stack of cages. The original flock has been together for one month and I noticed that the new birds are getting pecked at so I sectioned off an area of their run with hardware cloth. Hopefully this will prevent them from fighting. Any ideas on how I can peacefully add the two new hens to the original four?

What I usually do to help them get used to each other is put the new ones in a small cage inside the pen where the others are. Which is exactly what you did. That helps them get used to each other. However, some pecking is to be expected. That is where the term "pecking order" comes from. It gives them a hierarchy to follow in knowing who is in charge.

 

[MrsRobinson]

I was glad to read this post, because we just bought 2 new hens today from the MD Poultry Swap and our original 4 chicks aren't liking the new ones very much. We are going to put the new chicks in the dog crate for a few days with water and feed.

 

[tdhenson86]

That sounds like a great idea. That gives them time to get used to each other.

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

This really is a great idea! I will go and put them in a crate now. Thanks so much!

 

[tdhenson86]

You're very welcome!