Hello, I had to give away my ameracauna hen today that turned out to be a rooster and I found a new hen to put in its place. I currectly have 5 other hens that are 11-13 weeks old. The new aneracauna is 16 weeks old. Do I need to do anything special to introduce her to the flock? I don't want her picked or picking on the others. Thanks
You should quarentine her for 30 days (I believe, someone correct me on time if that is incorrect). Just to make sure that she is not sick. It doesn't matter where she came from, how clean their set up was or how old she is, she could still be sick and harm your current flock. After that, you can put her where the others can see her and hear her for a few days and then one night, put her into the coop while everyone is sleeping. In the morning they should all go out into their run like they have been living together all along. There may of course be a little adjustment to the pecking order, but it shouldn't be too rough or last too long. I'm sure others will give you some guidance as well. Best wishes!
I guess it all depends on how comfortable you are with potentially getting your current hens sick. The new hen could be a carrier. Even the 30 days may not change what 'could' happen. Also, there is going to be pecking. Your hens may take to her like one of them, they may peck here till all her feathers are gone. Alot of people like to do what Stubborn mentioned above. You could keep her in a small cage in or next to the run for a week so the other hens can see and get used to her. Then there are other who just put them together and let them figure it out. Me, I kept them in separate runs where they could see each other for a week. Then one night after everyone was sleeping stuck the new hens on the roost with the other hens and let them figure it out. As long as it doesn't become a blood bath I let them have at it. I like to give them plenty of room in their runs and lots of roosts and I added a few objects that they could hide behind. I also put an extra waterer and feeder on the opposite end. usually takes a couple of weeks.
I had one that got pecked pretty bad and she was inside a bird cage that was inside the run area for a month and I thought that would be enough time for them to get all familiar with each other. Well the big girls didn't like the new addition. So you might want to buy a back cover/ feather protector before you introduce them.
