Introducing new adult hens to adult hens/roosters

[Porpie Pie]

Hi Friends!

Im planning on getting 4 new adult sex-link hens to add to my current adult flock. I currently have 4 hens and 4 roosters (I learned the hard way that that's what I get for getting them as chicks ) I'm trying to re-home 2 or 3 of the roosters before I decide to make the hard decision. ( I'm not sure what's harder though re-homing roosters or making them meat birds) I've done some reading on how to introduce the new girls to my current flock. I have part of my run sectioned off already, I grew some forage grass in there to keep them busy as well as food and water and they have shelter. I read about how the hens may peck and quarrel to establish a new pecking order. Are there any concerns or steps I need to take with the roosters? What are some signs I should look for other than lice, pale comb etc when choosing these new hens? Should I be asking certain questions before taking them? I'll take any advise I can get! Thanks!

 

[aart]

Are there any concerns or steps I need to take with the roosters?

Get rid of all or all but one before adding more birds.

What are some signs I should look for other than lice, pale comb etc when choosing these new hens? Should I be asking certain questions before taking them?

How old are they, in months....or when did they hatch.
It's risky bringing in new birds.
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

I'll take any advise I can get!

How old are your current birds?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
Integration is a whole new learning curve.

Here's some......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Porpie Pie]

Get rid of all or all but one before adding more birds.


How old are they, in months....or when did they hatch.
It's risky bringing in new birds.
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


How old are your current birds?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
Integration is a whole new learning curve.

Here's some......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Porpie Pie]

The new hens I'm planning to get are the same age as mine. The new ones are 14 months mine are 15. I've included pictures of my coop and run. Ive got some pallets I can lean up against the roost in the middle of the run for a hiding spot. It's also got a long tray that I put food in when it's time to come in. There's also food and water on the tires on top of the other shelter and food/water underneath. I plan on putting something in the quarantine section for the new girls to roost. They're allowed to free range during the day. I've also got a chain link dog pen with forage grasses and roost food/water/ shelter if I need to quarantine in a separate pen all together or an 'emergency center' inside the house. I also spoiled them rotten with groceries like grapes, tomatoes, watermelon, lettuce, raisins etc. Little buggers eat healthier than I do. As for the roosters: Saldy, Pepé my silkie bantam may be meeting the stew pot because he's become very aggressive. My other roosters are a ( I think) Pip a Rhode island red bantam, Red a Rhode island red, and Henry a Cornish rock cross that everyone says wouldn't make it to a year but he's still going. When it come to harassing the girls it's mostly Pepé and Red. Pip is small so they don't mind him and Henry my 30 lb Cornish x can move pretty quick but not fast enough to chase the girls. Im going to try and re-home Red and the ducks. Sorry for making that so long if you'd have any other suggestions please let me know. I've been meaning to make to run more fun for them I think it's a little boring