Blending in new hens to the flock

[vortec]

I have a flock that consists of a lot of roosters( 19 ) and 10 tens. The average age is around 12-13 weeks. I am looking to add new ten week old hens into this group. What is the best way to do this to avoid fights as much as possible? Thanks

vortec

 

[cmom]

I would quarantine the birds first for about a month. When you put them together see how they react. I think the most ideal times are either when they are free ranging, I also put plenty of treats out so the birds fixate more on the treats than each other, or at roost time. There will always be an establishment of their pecking order.

 

[nhnanna]

I always put newcomers in a cage in the same pen for like a week and then one morning when i feed them I just open up the cage and let them out to eat at the same time and go from there. Just watch for a little bit to see if they will be ok.

 

[Mahlzeit]

I normally add new girls at night while they are roosting. It works for me you are always going to have some pecking order squabbles but waking up next to them seems to minimize that. Atleast in my opinion and flock. You don't have any problems with that many roosters and so few hens? When they get to breeding age your poor hens will be in trouble.