How to add a new chicken?

[Stedman]

I currently have 5 chickens that are 7 months old. I’d like to add one more roughly the same age but how would I go about mixing her in the flock. Included is a pic of my coop as you can see don’t really have a spot to separate her.

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

I wouldn't worry about mixed flocks, you don't have to separate her. It's totally fine to have mixed breeds in a flock. If you add another chicken, there will be fighting because the old ones want to show that they were there first, and they are the "boss".

 

[Stedman]

I’m sure this doesn’t make a difference but the 5 I have are all different breeds

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

I’m sure this doesn’t make a difference but the 5 I have are all different breeds

That's fine. Mixed breeds won't hurt each other. Nothing to worry about.

 

[JedJackson]

There are a few things to be concerned with if you're adding to an existing flock. First, if you are buying an adult hen to add, you need to be sure she doesn't carry disease that could devastate the existing flock. That means you should buy from a reputable breeder and even then it is wise to quarantine for a month. Second, you need to keep an eye on the newbie to make sure she isn't hurt or even killed by the flock she's added to. I personally would not add one new hen-- too much trouble for too little gain. But if you do keep these things in mind. And good luck!

 

[sylviethecochin]

When adding hens to a flock, first isolate them for few weeks or so to check for diseases they might add to your existing flock. This includes mites. Also, worm thoroughly so that no new types of worms can be added to your flock.

And, of course, there's the eternal worry about Mareks, though most sites I've read say that it's everywhere.

If you get the hen from the same place as you got your initial flock, I wouldn't worry too much about new diseases.

When the disease-check period is done, many people dump the hen in. If there is a problem (the other hens ganging up on her, etc.) then use an isolation pen so that they can see and hear each other, but not fight. Let this go on for a week or so, then try adding her again.

I personally let my hens free-range (all the time) so I don't have to be very careful about integration once the initial disease-check period is over. But if all of your hens live together in a smaller run, you'll probably have to follow the above procedure.

it actually helps to add two or more hens at a time, thus ensuring a "buddy system." The flocks don't integrate as quickly, but two newcomers are less likely to get beaten up than one is.

 

[TexasSam]

I currently have 5 chickens that are 7 months old. I’d like to add one more roughly the same age but how would I go about mixing her in the flock. Included is a pic of my coop as you can see don’t really have a spot to separate her.

First thing if you can always add more than one chicken at a time this will spread the pecking to more than one and make the transition easier. Secondly make sure you have a place to quarantine for at least a week better two weeks best a month. This is for two reasons to make sure your new guys are well and so the old guys can see them. Lastly I have had great success with nighttime introduction place the new birds in the coop on the roost next to the old birds after everyone is sleeping and be there when they wake up to monitor how things go do this and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[aart]

I currently have 5 chickens that are 7 months old. I’d like to add one more roughly the same age but how would I go about mixing her in the flock. Included is a pic of my coop as you can see don’t really have a spot to separate her.

That coop is about perfect for 5 birds, maybe even a bit small.
I would not attempt to add more.

It really is best to have a separate but adjacent space to introduce/integrate new birds.
That's after you quarantine, which take separate space faraway from any contact for existing flock, unless you are willing to take that risk. True quarantine is almost impossible for most back yard chickeneers to conduct.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I currently have 5 chickens that are 7 months old. I’d like to add one more roughly the same age but how would I go about mixing her in the flock. Included is a pic of my coop as you can see don’t really have a spot to separate her.

Just wanted to say that your green coop with the moon and stars design is adorable!