Introducing new chickens to single old hen

[Floopy Buzzlesworth]

Might want to wait until you have your new coop done before even looking more birds.
What's the timeline for the new build?
Might be chicks available by the time you have it done(it always takes way longer than we plan). When you build, design in a way to split the coop and run so integration will be easier to manage.

Oh, please, don't interrupt my frantic half-arsedness with your practical considerations!

You're right, of course, but when I use the word 'ambitious', please be aware that this means ambitious by *my* standards. So, mostly my plan currently entails moving the secure run to a different bit of the garden, and attaching a larger enclosed free-range bit, which will serve as temporary accommodation for the newbies while they all get used to each other. It's true that I will have to come up with a temporary coop, though. So the chickens apparently being thin on the ground right now is probably a good thing...

But I promise I'll be sensible and do it all in the right order!

 

[aart]

Oh, please, don't interrupt my frantic half-arsedness with your practical considerations!

Sorry, I can't help it!

 

[Kathy Golla]

Oh my gosh that is funny!
We raised two chicks (with our six hen flock) for my neighbor who was down to one 5 year old hen.
It took a little while but the older hen loves the company now.

 

[Floopy Buzzlesworth]

Hi All, just thought I'd give you an update... So we got our new giant pol hens on Wednesday and they're ginormous! I set up two runs next to each other, and for the first day they totally just ignored each other.

On the second day, I opened the door between the runs, so they could ignore each other closer up, and it sort of seems to go fine-ish...

My old hen is about half the size of the newbies, and seems very cautious, and every so often runs around a bit panicky, but mostly she's being ignored by the others. The white one (Peevil, coz she's evil - the joys of letting kids name chickens...) does menace and peck her a bit but so far no feathers have been removed and no blood drawn.

Then, last night those two decided to bunk together (they have a choice of two coops and a bunch of sticks further up they sometimes sleep on). Is this a good sign? Or just Peevil being evil over night as well? Luzie looked unhurt this morning, though still cautious... This is all happening much faster than I expected, but did I rush it too much?

 

[aart]

Peevil is one of the new birds..and Luzie is the old hen?
If so, could be Peevil is the dominant bird of the pullets and told Luzie about that,
Luzie accepted it and now they are 'friends'.
Pure speculation, but <shrugs>.
Sometimes for a single bird having a flock is more important than the need to dominate....or they are overwhelmed by the bunch of newbies.
Time will tell...if it works fast it works, if it doesn't separate again and start chicken juggling. There's no telling what live animals will do.