Introducing New birds

[mufflerchick]

What are some of the methods that you all have used to introduce new birds to your flocks? We have recently lost 4 of our hens and are thinking of replenishing our flock with some new/younger birds. I have a friend who will incubate eggs...but in the past when I've put different birds with them they have pecked them to death. So I don't know if that was because of a crowding issue or just because they are were being 'bitches'!! These other birds were roughly a month or so younger than the ones I was trying to put them in with. Since then I have gotten a roo, but occasionally my hens will peck on my roos comb. What I currently have are 4 RIR, 7 J. Giants 1 blue Wyandotte, and my roo is a RIWhite.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What's the size of your set up?

Honestly I just put new birds in at night, and that seems to work well, but they have plenty of places to flee to of they need

 

[mufflerchick]

What's the size of your set up?

Honestly I just put new birds in at night, and that seems to work well, but they have plenty of places to flee to of they need

My coop is 6' x 8'raised with 6 exterior nesting boxes, with a 16' x 13' attached run. They are able to go under the coop for shade and to get out of the rain and snow. I have 9' of roosting space on different levels.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It's a bit crowded with your current amount of birds

 

[mufflerchick]

It's a bit crowded with your current amount of birds

I currently have 12 hens and 1 roo in there.....I started with 16 hens

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yeahbut a 6x8 foot coop is 48 sq. feet, which is undet 4 sq. feet per bird currently. Usually people try to stick with 4 sq. feet per bird minimum in the coop

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Yeahbut a 6x8 foot coop is 48 sq. feet, which is undet 4 sq. feet per bird currently. Usually people try to stick with 4 sq. feet per bird minimum in the coop

Don't "they" also tend to say 1 foot of roost space per bird (LF) also? (And that isn't even taking into consideration that 7 of the OP's birds are Jersey giants.)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Don't "they" also tend to say 1 foot of roost space per bird (LF) also?

Maybe? I haven't seen that before

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Maybe? I haven't seen that before

That is what I have read most often. Some say 8 to 10 inches. But of course the "better too much than not enough" as some have "personal space" issues, while others are happy to practically be on top of each other.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

That is I have read most often. Some say 8 to 10 inches. But of course the "better too much than not enough" as some have "personal space" issues, while others are happy to practically be on top of each other.

I do know personal space varies. I have a boy who only let's his lady love in reach. Anyone else he pecks if he can reach them