Adding to my flock

[Dianad24]

I have a what’s supposed to be 4 month old Maran that’s huge. I got her and 2 polish chickens that are supposed to be 2-3 months old. The Maran is too big to be with the polish hens. She may even be bigger than my 3 year olds. Has anyone had a less stressful way of introducing new hens to your flock? They’re in crates inside right now and I may have to make two separate introductions based on the size of her. Pictures attached.

 

[nuthatched]

Have they already been quarantined?
Having them on either side of a fence for a few weeks helps but there likely will be tiffs no matter what.

 

[aart]

Size can be a factor, but not always.
So can the floppy topped birds(silkies polish etc) due to their oddness and not being able to see as well.

Here's some tips about......
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.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/