How do I incorporate pullets?

[ChickenladyMA4]

I agree that in this case I'd return the 2 older ones (since that's an option) to remove the extra step of integration when it sounds like this could potentially be a more difficult integration due to space.

Thanks for the feedback. The challenge is I am attached to one of the older ones. She is so smart, follows me around, and lays eggs almost daily. If i return her I’ll also have to wait a few months before having eggs again. Of course if that is the best option, I will do it. But it would at least be nice to keep her and incorporate the younger ones with her.

 

[Mrs. K]

It can be done, but it is hard to do. And it is really hard in small areas. Some birds will take to it, but some will kill other birds. Space and patience is what is needed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks for the feedback. The challenge is I am attached to one of the older ones. She is so smart, follows me around, and lays eggs almost daily. If i return her I’ll also have to wait a few months before having eggs again. Of course if that is the best option, I will do it. But it would at least be nice to keep her and incorporate the younger ones with her.

I get that. But you may find she's not so wonderful to the new arrivals especially if space is at a premium.

Noticed you haven't provided any measurements or photos of the set up yet. It's impossible to make good predictions about how 6 birds will do vs 5 birds vs just 4 pullets with only blind guessing. If the set up is too small even 4 pullets may be too much.

 

[ChickenladyMA4]

Thanks everyone. I ended up returning the adult hens and now have the 4 pullets.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm glad you got squared away with your 4 pullets!

For your future chicken journey, since we never did answer your original question about integrating new chickens with an existing flock, here are a couple of references. I wrote an article about it with lots of pictures, and there's another very good article as well I recommend. Some day you may have room for more chickens.

This is my article on Integrating:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-a-pictorial-guide.79343/


And here is another excellent article on integrating flocks:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

Editing to add: just touch the brown print and it will take you to either article.