How best to integrate hen into new young flock?

[megabahu]

Hi all!

I need advice on integrating my last surviving hen from my first flock into my new young flock. My hen was lowest rung girl and bullied in her old flock. She out survived them and I now have 8 seven week old pullets to merge her into. I picked more docile breeds hoping they’d be not as aggressive as her last bully.

I built a new coop and not sure if I should put her in first and the pullets into the old coop/chicken tractor and let them see but not touch then start moving them in with each other. My thinking is get her in and get used to the new space then deal with new birds. Or should I keep her in the tractor and the put the pullets into the new coop, do the see but not touch then add her in. The pullets have been in brooder space and not out doors yet. I’m hoping to get them out next week (have to finish securing the new coop before I move anyone in).

My hope is to get them all together before it gets too cold.

Your insight are greatly appreciated!

 

[BoundlessLove]

I would choose the see but don’t touch method and slowly add some supervised time all together.
It may take time, but this method has always worked for my chickens.

 

[BoundlessLove]

What breed is she? Are they?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would put her in first and add the young ones following a couple weeks of see-no-touch. ETA good luck with them!

 

[megabahu]

What breed is she? Are they?

The older hen is an Easter Egger- very flighty. The young flock is a mix of Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks.

 

[megabahu]

I would put her in first and add the young ones following a couple weeks of see-no-touch. ETA good luck with them!

Thanks you!

 

[sniper338]

I like integrating new birds first by separate cages next to each other where they can see and interact through the wire... then after several weeks, let all roam together free ranging.... then they can peck each other and figure out their pecking order free range where they can all get away and interact. Usually the older birds are higher on the pecking order

 

[megabahu]

I like integrating new birds first by separate cages next to each other where they can see and interact through the wire... then after several weeks, let all roam together free ranging.... then they can peck each other and figure out their pecking order free range where they can all get away and interact. Usually the older birds are higher on the pecking order

Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

I do not have that kind of patience. Thing is older out weighs younger, but there are more younger, and chasing is a lot of work, especially if she has 8 to chase.

I would put everyone all together in the new coop near dark and get down there early in the morning just to be sure. No one will have territorial advantage, they will all be discombobulated. What I would expect to happen is a bit of bluster, chase and a feather or two might fly, and then it be over.

However, I have a coop and run with a lot of hide outs, a lot of clutter, and a lot of space. I have multiple feed bowls set up so that while a bird is eating at one bowl, they cannot see a bird at another.

Mrs K