Introducing new hen to flock

[Erin Enchanted]

Any suggestions? I have two hens that are 8-9 months old, I’ve raised them since they were chicks. Just got one more who is mature, I don’t know her age but I’m told she is already laying. My chickens mostly free range and go to their coop at night. When we put the new chicken in the yard my original hens started fighting with the new girl and fluffing up feathers. Any suggestions??? Help!

 

[Mrs. K]

If that is all she did, let them work it out. I would let the two originals out to free range and lock the new comer into the run/coop for the day. This allows the new bird to explore the set up without being harassed as a stranger. Put some feed along the fence line on both sides, so they get up close if you want.

Do not let the original pair into the setup until just before dark. Then the urge to roost will be pretty strong, and there will just be a little posturing. And the original pair will then go to roost. Wait half an hour and then if the new one has not gone in, put her on the roost. If she has entered the coop, just leave her be.

The big issue is space. If you only have had 2 birds, might be your set up is pretty small. Sometimes, it is too small to add one more bird.

However, if space is not an issue, I would expect 1 older bird to do pretty well with two younger birds, even in their own territory. It is natural to see some chasing and some puffing up. As long as you don't see blood, let it go and they will work it out.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

The big issue is space. If you only have had 2 birds, might be your set up is pretty small. Sometimes, it is too small to add one more bird.

This^^^

Here's some tips that might help.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Erin Enchanted]

Thank you! I did as suggested and put the new girl in an enclosed run attached to the coop on friday & Saturday, and have fed the original chickens right by the run. The original chickens seemed to want to roost elsewhere since she was nearby but I took them back to the coop each night anyways. Now on day 3 all of them are free ranging together peacefully and we even got our first egg from our Easter Egger and have gotten two eggs from our production red, so I think all is well no eggs from the newcomer yet but hopefully soon, she is squatting a lot. Thanks for the suggestions, it worked out well!