Introducing 4 new hens

[vtara16]

A friend of mine just gave me four hens, Three of which i raised for the first four months of their Lives. I brought them home tonight and put them into the coop with three of my hens. I am unsure if is was the right thing to do. Has anyone else done this? There was some pecking, but none that was unbearable. Will they hurt or kill eachither over night?

 

[bufforpingtons13]

I have mixed some like this and they were fine.

 

[midget_farms]

Every head hen is different, but you will probably be OK.

The best method I've found it to add the hens after everyone is asleep. usually around 10pm or so - just before I go to bed.

They won't fight over night because they are asleep.

The old hens cant count. So if they wake up with more friends than they went to bed with they don't know.

They will know the pecking order was adjusted & have to work that out, but usually its an easy transition.