How do I introduce a new hen to the flock?

truthforbes02

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I have two barred rock hens and one austrolorp hen in my coop. My grandfather's friend asked him to take two of her bantams with him, one hen and one roo. My grandfather gave both to me. I have them in a separate coop now, but I would like to move both in with the others. My roo does fine, but how can I introduce m hen?
 
Put the new birds in a run so that the current birds can see but not hurt the new ones. After a week or two you can let them out and see how they do together. If not well (pecking to the point of blood not just to establish pecking order) then just stick them in the run for a few more days. Good luck!
 
I have two barred rock hens and one austrolorp hen in my coop. My grandfather's friend asked him to take two of her bantams with him, one hen and one roo. My grandfather gave both to me. I have them in a separate coop now, but I would like to move both in with the others. My roo does fine, but how can I introduce m hen?
The new roo is already with the existing 3 hens? Do you free range?
 
The new roo is already with the existing 3 hens? Do you free range?
I had my roo in the coop, but my bantam hen throws a fit when she's not with him. So, they are both in a smaller coop. And no, I don't free range. We have to many predators around here.
 
Ah, OK.
Do the coops both have runs attached and are they right next to each other?
Depending on how big the main coop and run are, it may be tricky getting them all together. Free ranging can make integration go better, but I understand, mine are confined also.

Here's some notes I've taken on integration that I found to be very helpful.......
......take what applies or might help and ignore the rest.
See if any of them, or the links provided at the bottom, might offer some tips that will assist you in your situation:

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
 
The coops don't have a run attached. I am working on getting a run built connected to the larger coop. Thankyou for the tips
 

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