Farewell rooster, hello hen.

[CableGriffith]

Hi everyone. We recently discovered that one of our four hens is a rooster. We're not allowed to keep roosters where we live and have arranged for someone to take him to a happy home.

And we'd like to add another hen as soon as possible to the coop, ideally the same age as the other ladies (2.5 months).

We're wondering if the sudden loss of the rooster might make it easier to introduce a new hen? Perhaps before a new pecking order (or head-hen) is established?

Thanks for any advice!
Cable

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Cable, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
The pecking order is a dynamic entity. It is still there and the head pullet will likely start to run the show. Integrating a single pullet is very difficult. You need A LOT of space, things to hide behind, multiple feed and water stations and time.

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

First of all welcome to BYC!
I wouldn’t have thought of that, but I think it would be easier to introduce while the pecking order is unestablished (or messed up).

 

[CableGriffith]

Hello, Cable, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
The pecking order is a dynamic entity. It is still there and the head pullet will likely start to run the show. Integrating a single pullet is very difficult. You need A LOT of space, things to hide behind, multiple feed and water stations and time.

Thanks! Could it be any easier to introduced 2 pullets (familiar to each other) instead of one? I think we can manage the separation and space.

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

welcome to BYC!

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks! Could it be any easier to introduced 2 pullets (familiar to each other) instead of one? I think we can manage the separation and space.

Absolutely!

 

[N F C]

Hi Cable, you might find this article interesting: introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997

Best wishes!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Actually introducing new hens while a rooster is present frequently makes things go more smoothly.

Thanks! Could it be any easier to introduced 2 pullets (familiar to each other) instead of one? I think we can manage the separation and space.

Absolutely.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[Grammy60]

Hello Cable and welcome to BYC We are happy you have joined us.