Introducing 2 new hens into a new coop, need advice!

[MattyBowman]

Hello everyone!

We currently have 4 Bovan hens about a year to a year and a half old in a small, way to tiny coop with run. And we are looking at purchasing 2 new hens of a different breed that are currently isolated at another property. Here's the plan.

We are getting a new large coop built, good for 6-8 hens and a large enclosed run in 2 weeks it should be finished. The chickens at this point have never met...should we 1) move 4 hens into new coop and 2 new hens into existing little coop and slowly expose... 2) put new hens in large coop and keep 4 in small run for now and slowly expose... 3) toss them all in the new larger coop at the same time and let them sort it out.

Looking for recommendations.

Cheers!

Matthew

 

[Pghelp]

I vote for option #1. Please don't toss them all in together. Too much likelihood of murder and mayhem. Also make sure you isolate your newbies at least 2 weeks for biosecurity to make sure you don't introduce disease. After the 2 week isolation for health reasons then do the gradual see/no touch get acquainted. If they're all that young they should be able to figure out the new pecking order but I wouldn't bypass the health isolation or the get acquainted period.

 

[aart]

new large coop built, good for 6-8 hens and a large enclosed run

How big is "large" in feet by feet(or meters by meters)?

Tough call the best way to integrate, bio security is a concern, but I'm guessing true quarantine is impossible.

You could try putting them all into the new setup at once to reduce territoriality, and have the others options as backup.

How old are the new birds?
..and what does it mean that they are 'isolated' at another property?

 

[MattyBowman]

How big is "large" in feet by feet(or meters by meters)?

Tough call the best way to integrate, bio security is a concern, but I'm guessing true quarantine is impossible.

You could try putting them all into the new setup at once to reduce territoriality, and have the others options as backup.

How old are the new birds?
..and what does it mean that they are 'isolated' at another property?

8x7 foot coop with a 16 foot enclosed run.

The new birds are about the same age. About a year old.

And isolated as in they have been removed from the main flock at the farm and are living separately now until our coop is ready.