Introducing Leghorn Pullets to Leghorn Hens

[emmaro]

Hi!
Forgive me if this has already been asked- if you have a helpful thread to point me to that would be great! Otherwise, I would love advice on this situation.

I have 2 leghorn hens about a year old. I recently bought 4 more chicks to add to my flock- all leghorns. My coup and run are relatively small, but an appropriate size for 6 hens.

My question is-
When is the best age to introduce the new pullets to the older hens?

What is your preferred method of introduction?

At the moment, the pullets are in a dog crate and they are roughly 6 weeks old now.

 

[paddock36]

I usually wait until the new ones are compatible in size to the older hens. Then I place them in a small pen inside the coop where the other hens can see them but can't get them. Then I feed the older hens near the new hens for about 3 to 4 days. After the last day, at night when it is dark, put them on the perch with the older hens. Of course make sure the young ones have food and water in the pen. That's how I always do it. I have an old dog metal dog crate that i use for this.

 

[emmaro]

I usually wait until the new ones are compatible in size to the older hens. Then I place them in a small pen inside the coop where the other hens can see them but can't get them. Then I feed the older hens near the new hens for about 3 to 4 days. After the last day, at night when it is dark, put them on the perch with the older hens. Of course make sure the young ones have food and water in the pen. That's how I always do it. I have an old dog metal dog crate that i use for this.

Okay this is exactly the plan I had in mind but I was doubting myself haha. I have only been doing this for a year so it’s still very new to me. Thank you!

 

[paddock36]

Okay this is exactly the plan I had in mind but I was doubting myself haha. I have only been doing this for a year so it’s still very new to me. Thank you!

You're welcome. Just keep an eye on them after you have done the process. There are times that I have done it a little longer when I've had a mean dominant hen in the flock. There may still be a little bullying going on while they establish their pecking order.

 

[BDutch]

^^ This is a good method Paddock described. I think it was @aart who posted a very good article to add younger pullets to an existing flock with older hens. Look for it in the article section and do a search on See don’t touch.

If you start integrating sooner its often just as easy as when they get older. But the 6 week old chicks do need a proper safe place to run to with food and water.