Introducing New Chickens

[RedneckRebel]

I have been thinking about introducing some new chickens to my flock. I know that chickens "territorial" having alpha males and females. Any ideas of how I should introduce them?

 

[Kernel Cluck]

How old are they all? What sex? Do you have any really dominant hens or aggression issues? This makes a bit of a difference. I will tell you what I did. Some swear by this technique and others say it doesn't work. I had 2 new hens to introduce to an established flock. No roosters. All about the same age. (1-2 years old.) I did the "sleep and Sneak". You wait until your hens are asleep for the night and then quietly slip the new hens onto the roost. (This is after having quarantined your new additions for several weeks to avoid introducing new diseases). In the morning the hens look at each other and think.. "well, I don't really remember you, but since we spent the night together, you must be OK." For me, it significantly reduced the "pecking order" time. Some mild issues but not bad at all.

 

[RedneckRebel]

I have 10 chickens in all. 3 roosters and 7 hens, they are all around 6 months to a year old. I have one very dominate hen. I plan on introducing 2-3 hens of the same age

 

[aart]

Lots of techniques

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