Best age to introduce a new hen to the flock

[DracoMalfoy]

I’m a new chicken owner and was wondering if there is a preferred age of the new hen when introducing her to my flock (haven’t bought one yet just in case there is an answer to this question.) I have a relatively small coop with a small-ish run as they free range from sun up to sun down on half an acre. It’s really only used by them for shelter and just now being used for nesting as they’re 5 months old. Any tips on how I should go about the introduction would also be appreciated.

 

[Mrs. K]

There is something called chicken math, in which more is better. And without a doubt you can cheat on the numbers during the summer, the weather is nice, and the days are long and the nights short.

But the long dark nights of winter are coming, here in SD, my birds will roost up before 4:30, and not come off the roost until after 7:00. A long time to be in an overcrowded space.

Adding a single bird is the most difficult. In my experience I find the easiest is to add several chicks at 3-4 weeks of age, but that could be difficult if you are free ranging, as chicks that small without a broody hen, will be easily picked off by predators.

Adding fulls size birds will also work, but adding a single bird to an established flock can be difficult.

Show a picture of your set up, we can give better advice.

MRs K