Integrating two new pullets

[Donkeygrl]

So I have 6 pullets/hens that are just at 5 months old and 1 hen that is a year old in my already established flock.
I have two new pullets that are 4 months old To integrate into the flock. We have quarantined them for 4 weeks and then put them Into a grow out coop for 2 weeks where they can all see each other. Today we did a supervised visit. Only two of my flock seem to care at all and one is super vocal about it and seems pretty agitated? The Two we are trying to introduce stood up for themselves some and ran other times ...what do you think we should do next. Put them back in the grow out coop and continue to do supervised visits or ? And if so for how long ?

 

[lysmandor]

How much room do they have? Did you put the new pullets into your other run? How long were they together?

Also, was there any actual fighting, or just posturing and squawking? Unfortunately there's going to be some posturing and bullying until they settle in, but if there's no bloodshed I'd say to wait it out.

 

[Donkeygrl]

We have a fenced and roofed run that’s 14x14 .Just posturing and squeaking -mainly posturing from one established flock member and squawking from Another estab flock member. Our flock has been together since April and the two pullets came from a closed flock and have always been together . We put the two pullets together in the established flock’s run-the little grow out coop/run is tiny.

 

[lysmandor]

Honestly that sounds like they're doing great! I'd watch them - make sure there aren't places anyone can get cornered. Having a 'cluttered run' can help (you can search the forums for examples) - basically having more things to hide behind, hide on, really helps. They like having somewhere to go where they can get out of sight of each other. Also, make sure you have more than one source of food and water, so there doesn't have to be competition (one of the dominant chickens can't guard the food and water against the new ones).

 

[lysmandor]

Also - I'd leave them together, at least all day. Every time you remove them and put them back in, they go back through the posturing and reintroductions. For mine, I let them sleep separately for a few nights (but were out together during the day). Then I started putting them in the coop at night as well - you can move them after they're already sleepy and gone to roost. Or wait and see if the new chicks follow the others back up to the henhouse!

 

[Donkeygrl]

Ok that sounds good -I will leave them be until bedtime and put out an extra feeder and water

 

[aart]

Sounds like you're off to a great start.
Might put some 'hiding' places in your run.....as well as the multiple feed/water stations
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

We put the two pullets together in the established flock’s run-the little grow out coop/run is tiny.

Got pics?

 

[Donkeygrl]

So I went out at dark to grab the two newbies to put to bed in a separate area and guess what ?! They had followed in the flock to the main coop and everyone was perched just fine ! I couldn’t believe it! So I let them out this morning and again everyone just acts a little nervous around the newbies but nothing aggressive or crazy

 

[Donkeygrl]

One newbie on the bottom right

 

[aart]

So I went out at dark to grab the two newbies to put to bed in a separate area and guess what ?! They had followed in the flock to the main coop and everyone was perched just fine ! I couldn’t believe it! So I let them out this morning and again everyone just acts a little nervous around the newbies but nothing aggressive or crazy

Excellent!!