How long does it take to merge new pullets into current flock

[jahphotogal]

Thanks to the great advice I got here, I'm getting two young pullets to add to my four. (I had six, but one disappeared and one seems to be a rooster so we're rehoming him.)

My chicks are about 10 weeks old, and the ones I'm getting are a few weeks younger - depending on which ones I choose when I get there, they will be anywhere from 5 to 8 weeks.

It will be hard to set up my coop to keep them separate, but I know I have to give them some time to get used to each other. How long does it take? Is 2 days enough to get them used to each other?

Also, the rooster we're getting rid of is clearly the top chicken, and the EE we lost was the next in line - very much the leader of hte pack. The others are total followers. Will one emerge as queen bee? Will they show any evidence that they notice they've lost their leader? Chicken behavior is so fascinating!

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

I just normally throw them together in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping with no problem. The only problem I have ever had was with an older rooster killing a younger rooster, but that happened weeks after they were living together. Just maybe make sure that you have two separate food and water dishes just encase the older ones won't let the younger ones eat, but with the number that you have it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[jahphotogal]

That sounds promising - I can just put the new ones in the coop and keep the old ones outside free-ranging til bed time when everyone's sleepy and docile.