My girls are 11 to 13 weeks old. I have purchased two vaccinated Buff Orpington pullets, 10 weeks to add to them so I will have 10 layers. How is the best way to introduce them. When I added the two 11 week old pullets to the others, I tried to isolate them in the coop until everyone got used to each other. They were master escape artists and I finally gave up. They were bullied some, but not injured. I moved a cockrell from my cull pen in with the girls (they brooded together) because he was being bullied by the other cockrells and the girls attacked him and drew blood. Now I am wanting the introduction of the new girls to go as calmly as possible with no blood drawn. It is better to put them in when everyone is asleep or put them in the coop after the girls have gone outside and then just try to keep an eye on them. More experienced help wanted as I'm sure it will come up again when I determine who isn't a good layer by next spring as they will be culled and more Buff's or Easter Eggers added.
My coop can easily handle 14 birds.
My coop can easily handle 14 birds.