Introducing chickens to each other and new coop

[Bookspryte]

I'm in the process of building a new coop for my buff orpingtons. I have two girls that I bought last year and I recently purchased a buff roo for them. The girls are currently in a community coop with a barred rock roo and several other hens. My buff roo just finished up five weeks alone in quarantine.

I'm ready to introduce the three of them to their new digs this week, but I'm not sure what is the best way to do it.

Should I add all three of them to the new coop at the same time? Put him in first and add them later? Or put them in first and add him a few days later?

I've only ever introduced new chickens into an existing coop. My one hen, No. 7, can be pretty testy at times and I don't want my roo, J.D., (short for Jack Daniel) to get hurt.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Denise

 

[DIMBY]

If they already know each other, put them all in at the same time, otherwise they'll get lonely. And, they won't have a chance to establish their little territories and beat up on the newcomer.

 

[Bookspryte]

The girls are hatch mates, but they've never seen the new roo. I'm hoping to avoid the squabbles, if possible.

 

[KKatknap]

I would try adding them all in together...at night. That way, it's a new situation for everyone, and nobody feels like someone is invading "their" space.

Are they all the same age (or close)?

 

[Bookspryte]

They're all about a year old, more or less.