How long should I keep new hens cooped up?

[Cindy Davila]

I was given a few 2 year old chickens a few days ago and their previous owner told me to keep them in the coop for 1 to 2 weeks before allowing them to free range with my other hens. When I let my older hens out, the newer hens want to go out too. Do I really need to wait 1 to 2 weeks?

 

[DakotaDreamer]

Use your judgement. The more time they can see each other through cages the more likely they are to get along right away when you let them out.

 

[andreanar]

If your new hens are already integrated and doing well with your old flock, I would think they would follow the flock at bedtime. But Id give it at least a few more days.

 

[FosterCityChick]

I was reading that you should keep them apart for a month in the event of any illnesses. Here's the link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

 

[Cindy Davila]

Well, we only have one coop so we went ahead and put them together. The new chickens were not too friendly to my older leghorns at first, my leghorns wings haven't been clipped so they could get away from the new flock by getting in the rafters. I was letting them out during the day to free range and give them a break from the new flock. They are getting along today, so should I allow the new flock out to free range yet?

 

[azygous]

I've added new hens to my flock, and never cooped them up except for keeping them penned separately during the integration process. The new hens roosted each night with the flock and they went out and free-ranged with the flock. There were no problems at all with them finding their way back to the run.