introducing equal number hens to existing flock?

[rosieoreoandpancake]

Hi, Thinking about introducing a few new laying hens to my existing flock of 3. I could introduce 1,2 or 3 hens- is it better to do more? Is 3 better than 2 or will there be issues regardless?

 

[sourland]

There will be issues, but 3 is better than 1. Are you planning on quarantining the new birds?

 

[Mrs. K]

SPACE is the real issue, if you have the space, then adding three to the old three would be better.

But how your space is laid out is also important. Is it just an open rectangle? Or do you have clutter through out it? Places where birds can get out of sight or away from each other. Roosts in the run, platforms, mini walls, outside wind shelters, multiple feed dishes set up so that a bird eating at one station cannot see a bird eating at another one.

A trick that I have had very good success with, is to let the old birds out of the set up, and lock the new birds into the set up. Feed along the fence rinse and repeat for a few days. Then keep the middle bird from the old group with the young group. Rinse repeat. and so on.

This allows the new birds to explore the set up and get comfortable there without being chased for their lives. It seems to let the old birds see them in there too, which strangley seems to help.

Mrs K