Introducing new chickens -specific situation

[Sarae89]

Hi All,

I know there are threads on this topic, but wanted to ask the group about a specific situation. I have a 4-year-old hen who is the last of a flock that got taken out by opossums, I've since reinforced the coop and run so it's much safer now. But in the meantime, she has been sleeping in the shed, and I'm preparing to introduce 3 new pullets to her so she'll have a flock again. Would folks suggest settling the pullets into the coop first, and letting the older hen see them but not be able to come into contact then getting her back in the coop again? Or put the old hen back in her coop and introduce the pullets in at night? Or put her back in the coop, and keep the pullets separate, but visible?

Thanks for the help.

 

[MarkJr]

How long since she’s been in the coop?

How close to size are the pullets?

If it’s been a week or longer since being in the coop, and the pullets are close to same size as hen..... I’d throw pullets in coop in the morning, hen on roost that night. Observe at daylight following morning.

I integrated new pullets and old flock this way with nothing but the typical pecking order stuff. It was straightened out within an hour.

I released everyone in a week. I was afraid old hens would try to return to old coop.

 

[centrarchid]

If all new to coop, then at same time. Otherwise immature birds first.