Adding pullets

[alaskachickLady]

it is now obvious one of my "girls" is a roo. That leaves me with 4 pullets and 1 cockerel. I want to keep the boy so I think I need more girls. Mine are 10-12 weeks old. How hard will it be to add2 or 3 pullets of a similar age.( will be from the same small hatchery)

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Can you seperate the new ones from the older ones, where they can all still see each other for a couple of weeks before they are put together?

 

[alaskachickLady]

Not really. I can keep them separate in the run but not in the coop

 

[Pork Pie]

These links may help

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1098683/introducing-new-chickens-to-old-flock#post_16895615

 

[aart]

Not really. I can keep them separate in the run but not in the coop

Might be a good time to think about creating a separate area,
adjacent to the existing ones and weather proofed,
for this and future integrations.

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock