introducing new chickens and worried...

[dachickenkook]

We only have 2 chickens and one was taken by a predator. Today we got 2 new hens, who are about the same age as our remaining hen, about 17 weeks. We only have one coop with a fenced in (and safer!) run area. I am a little nervous about when they go into the coop tonight, since that is the only place they can coop at night and our first chicken has already been picking on the new ones. I am afraid that she will really lay into them tonight when they are locked inside! Any suggestions??

 

[debilorrah]

Could you seperate them for awhile in an area where they can see each other? that will help them get to know each other alittle before putting them all together.

 

[chickiebaby]

Easiest way might be to stretch some chicken wire or whatever you have across a corner of the coop to make a separate area for the newbies.. Put water in there in a bowl, put a plank across the top, and that way they can gt used to each other for a fw nights. Might help.

 

[chickiebaby]

Duh. Easiest way would just be a dog crate or whatever you brought em home in . . . against a corner so they can get awy from mean beaks.