In what ratio can you merge into an existing flock?

[BrianV]

Hello!

I currently have a flock of 3 Jersey Giant hens, a JG rooster, a EE and a 'something'.

Unfortunately, I lost 6 other hens a few weeks ago - with the warm weather coming back, I had opened their coop door to let in some extra sunlight, but completely forgot to shut it in the evening, and a predator took 6 of them.

I'd like to re-expand my flock up to 10 or 15 birds. Unfortunately, I only have one coop; while quite large (20'x20' or so), it wouldn't be easy to divide it, and with the local predator situation, it wouldn't be easy to house new birds somewhere else... so the flock merging would have to be the 'hard way'.

To prepare for this, I am planning on adding some new roosting points for the new girls, along with some pallets inside the coop to allow them to 'hide' a bit from the existing hens - I've heard that being able to be out of the line of site helps with the introductions.

Is it feasible to introduce something like 10 new hens to my five existing hens and rooster, and have them settle reasonably well? Or is that too many new hens to introduce at once?

 

[pennyJo1960]

How well do you know where you are getting them from ?
I bought birds from a local member was not worried about disease the given is 30 days before you merge new maybe T post and wire to keep them apart

 

[Ribh]

Sorta in the same boat so reading along. Hoping mixing up a new pen when adding the new girls will help.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have 3 coops my main has a smaller one next to it so the fences, runs they can see but no touch
I can put birds there to look for problems before they go in

 

[Mrs. K]

It depends on what you get. Adding more is always better. If you get laying hens, I would not worry about this too much at all, by my count you have 6 birds left, if you add 5, it is about even, I would expect a few scuffles, some posturing, and then things to be fine. Especially as you have had a bigger flock. I have done this numerous times.

I think people sometimes have a hard time adding new birds when they have had a stationary flock for a long time and then add just one or two birds.

If you only have night time predators, or you can be there all day, try letting your original birds out of the coop/run to "free range" in the morning, while locking the new birds in the run/coop set up. Put a temporary nest outside for the layers if you need to a dog crate will do, set it near the door to the coop, and they will do fine. This will allow the new girls to look around, figure things out without being chased for their lives. Then close to dark, let the old girls in. A few skirmishes, and they should all go to roost.

If you get chicks, set up a safety zone. I had by chicks in there last year at three weeks old, no integration issues at all.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I'd like to re-expand my flock up to 10 or 15 birds. Unfortunately, I only have one coop; while quite large (20'x20' or so), it wouldn't be easy to divide it, and with the local predator situation, it wouldn't be easy to house new birds somewhere else... so the flock merging would have to be the 'hard way'.

Might not be 'easy' but might be well worth the effort, for now and in the future. I designed in a temporary wall with separate keeper door and a separate run, has saved my bacon(I don't like flock chaos) more than a few times......and makes adding birds much easier.

Not sure a few new roosts and some pallets will work, but maybe it will.
Let us know how it goes.
Best of cLuck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Adding more than one is better than trying to only add just one. As long as you have room and don't crowd them I don't see any real advantage to adding ten over adding five, but both are much better than adding one.

How old will the new ones be? Are they laying eggs yet? Do they have access to outside, either free ranging or in a pen? My suggestions for how to go about it would vary depending on maturity and how much total space is available, nor necessarily just coop space.