How should I introduce my new chickens to the flock

How much space do you have...in coop and run in feet by feet?
Do you free range at all?
How old are all the birds?
Do you you have a separate but adjacent enclosure so the birds can see each other but not touch for a couple-few weeks?

It's not so much about size/age as it is about territoriality....the existing birds are not going to be happy to have 'strange' birds invade their space.
Lots of space, multiple feed/water stations, places to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not dead end traps) and up and away from aggressors all help the integration go smoother.

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

Read up on integration.....  BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock


I have three runs, one of them is movable. My hens are one or two years old and my cockerel is six weeks but he is already bigger than my hens ( I got him yesterday) right now I have my main run and movable run next to each other so mychickens can see and get used to one another with out getting hurt.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom