Introducing new birds to an existing flock??

[Goblnfvr]

I have a question in regards to introducing new birds to an existing flock.
I personally don't have a flock of chickens but I do have an incubator and as a hobby I hatch eggs for friends of mine that do.

The problem they have is that when they try to introduce the new birds to the flock they get picked on badly. This also happens to birds they get from other people.

How do you go about intorducing the new birds so they all get along????

 

[CarolJ]

Chickens will peck newcomers until the new pecking order is established. I usually keep the two sets of birds in side by side pens for a week or two - then I let them free range together - then I put the new birds in with the older ones at bedtime. I've done this several times - and while there is still some pecking done as they work things out, it hasn't been severe. Unless there is blood shed, it's better to leave them alone and let them work it out.