Any "tips" for introducing hens?

[inputoutput]

So with my new coop almost done, and the ducks going to a new home(s) I am left with my one single hen, Olive. Olive is a feisty and lovable (I really do adore her) leghorn. I'd like to get a few more hens now so I don't have to put Olive in the basement every night (and to keep the ladies at work supplied with eggs) Are there any tips you all could give me for introducing hens? Or do you just throw'em together and let them figure it out? One at a time?

 

[Fred's Hens]

You set your coop up with a divider, basically. The birds need a 21day solitary period, though, if you're concerned about diseases being imported. Bio security it is called.
Then, they see each other for a week, but cannot get to each other because of the temporary netting that divides them. Then, you introduce outside, they'll be some "checking each other out", but if this is done late in the day, a good night's sleep next to each other, they quickly figure out the order. The only problem is that it will be all the new hens against the singular old hen. But... it usually works out.

 

[Judy]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[kari_dawn]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=594111

This is how I do my intros...I've done tons of them (I get free rescues all the time). Someone should really make this a sticky...so many people ask about it!

 

[loanwizard]

Quote:
With only Olive, I don't think you will have a major problem. In fact, she is probably the one that will get pecked if you get 2 or 3 together.

1st thing, if you are buying older girls is to quarantine them for 30 days before introducing them. I have not personally done that but there are some definite horror stories out there and it looks like Olive is a pet and would hate for you to lose her to their diseases.

After that, let them get used to each other where they can see each other but not get to one another for about a week or two.

The groups I have introduced, I put the new group in the coop at night. There was some pecking but none serious. That said, my leghorns (the new grou) never did lay well and just quit so I gave them away (about a dozen or so).

 

[inputoutput]

Such quick responses!