introducing battery hens to my existing girls

[paulfy4]

i have 6 girls since 15th oct 2008 and am getting 6 more battery hens on 7th feb,any advice please on the best and least stressful way to introduce the new girls,i dont really want to seperate them

 

[katrinag]

You need to keep them seperate for 30 days to make sure they are not ill. You do not want to bring illness into you flock.

 

[jossanne]

After you've quarantined them for a bit, the best way to introduce them is to put wire fencing between them and your first girls. Let them be able to see and get used to each other, without being able to fight and pick. After a week or so of that, try letting them together. They'll have to work out pecking order stuff, but they should be okay.

 

[paulfy4]

thanks for the advice all,i introduced them straight away,and there was a couple of days squabbling,but they are now all snuggling in together at night and all really chilled,happy and very friendly,but alas hardly any eggs off 14 girls,could it be the time of year or am i doing something wrong??????????

 

[Jena]

No you are not doing wrong. It will take them some time to get used to their new surroundings and friends.

I don't know how old your original hens were but this introduction could delay things a while.

Have patience they will get it together in a while.

Jena.