How to properly introduce new chickens to a flock

[Chick Isa]

Hi, I have a 4 hen and two rooster flock. There about 4.5 months but their Icelandic so don’t lay eggs yet. I am going to get three more hens to balance the ratio a bit and probably get rid of another rooster. The new hens are between 6-8 weeks old. So I am wondering do I just stick the new hens in with the rest of the flock? Or will that cause bullying?

 

[pennyJo1960]

How old is the rooster? that is allot of rooster to you flock even with more hens are they cockerel? under a year.
Best girls need a break from the testosterone.

 

[Chick Isa]

The rooster is five months.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Oh Lordy, no would not have him there.
I have a 18 month old splash marans he now being trusted
with young pullets.

 

[aart]

I'd get rid of all but one male, and have a separate enclosure ready for him in case things get dicey. Just because you have a 'better ratio' doesn't mean things will go well.

So I am wondering do I just stick the new hens in with the rest of the flock?

I would not recommend that.


Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Here's some tips about....
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.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Chick Isa]

Ok, thanks