do I, or don't I, bring on a new hen?

[Bawkmeow]

the place that has the wheaten also has a OE the same age my understanding is "typically" all these breeds would have a calm friendly personality. and should get along?

 

[aart]

the place that has the wheaten also has a OE the same age my understanding is "typically" all these breeds would have a calm friendly personality. and should get along?

That can all change when their territory is 'invaded'.

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/

 

[Mrs. K]

As I am sure you are getting the message - SPACE is the limiting factor - and your birds are not full grown, as in they are going to get bigger...and coops don't get bigger unless a lot of work is applied. Countless stories on here, how all was wonderful, raised together...then went to hell - because of not enough space.

So measure your coop and take some pictures. Chicken math gets all of us, and it can be ugly.

Someone asked about breeds and space - I think the bantams can get by with a little bit less space...but not a lot. Same thing with 'free ranging' an hour or 2 a day, not going to make up for too small of set up.

We just don't want you to have a wreck. Often times people with small flocks like yours, go with a pre-fab coop - and they grossly overstate how many birds will fit. What is oodles of room when they are chick, rapidly becomes not enough room.

Mrs k

 

[Bawkmeow]

As I am sure you are getting the message - SPACE is the limiting factor - and your birds are not full grown, as in they are going to get bigger...and coops don't get bigger unless a lot of work is applied. Countless stories on here, how all was wonderful, raised together...then went to hell - because of not enough space.

So measure your coop and take some pictures. Chicken math gets all of us, and it can be ugly.

Someone asked about breeds and space - I think the bantams can get by with a little bit less space...but not a lot. Same thing with 'free ranging' an hour or 2 a day, not going to make up for too small of set up.

We just don't want you to have a wreck. Often times people with small flocks like yours, go with a pre-fab coop - and they grossly overstate how many birds will fit. What is oodles of room when they are chick, rapidly becomes not enough room.

Mrs k

I have a 3 foot roost with a ramp(silkies like ramps) and another 3 foot bar on the other side of the ramp. The larger white silkie was a roo so he has been rehomed. So it would just be those 5 the run is 12x15 and it’s 16 foot tall in the center 10 on the edges. That would be where they spend the majority of their time. Except for their couple hours of yard time a day.

 

[Bawkmeow]

I have a 3 foot roost with a ramp(silkies like ramps) and another 3 foot bar on the other side of the ramp. The larger white silkie was a roo so he has been rehomed. So it would just be those 5 the run is 12x15 and it’s 16 foot tall in the center 10 on the edges. That would be where they spend the majority of their time. Except for their couple hours of yard time a day.

 

[rosemarythyme]

does age and breed play a factor? I have 2 24 month silkies and 1 24 month bantam cochin want to add a 2 month old wheaten ameraucana

It can, but even docile birds will still want to protect their territory and resources from outsiders. That said, it's probably slightly easier/safer to add a standard bird into a bantam flock, vs the reverse, simply because the size difference isn't as great. But you'll still need an integration plan.

 

[Mrs. K]

You have a lot more room than I thought. Go for it.