Introducing new hen to rooster? help please!

[Namble]

I have 2 hens with my rooster in one pen and the new hen I just got in another. The rooster is going crazy! He is trying to get over to her so bad. My question is when can I put the new hen in with the rooster and 2 hens? Also when will this new hens start laying again? The lady I got the hen from said she laid an egg a day at her place.


Thanks,
Grant

 

[monathequeen]

Grant, how old are your current hens ?
how old is the new hen ?

If their the same age or if the new hen is mature, I would introduce them now !! Keep an eye on the new hen that she isn't getting beat up. It's normal for the newbie to get picked on at first only because the flock has to slowly welcome her to their established family.
They will be fine in a matter of days.
The rooster will definately want to mate with her because he has to show her that He's the boss.
Just keep a good eye on things. When you let her in with the old flock, dont seperate them just because their being mean. The new girl has to earn her place with them. If you observe brutal fighting, by all means move her out.
Let us know how it's going ok ?

 

[gritsar]

Please please quarantine the new bird before introducing her to your current birds.

 

[Namble]

Well When I first put her in with the rooster and hens they rannnn over to her and started pecking her and jumping on her. And the rooster was trying so hard to mate. I couldn't take it so I took her out. But still then the rooster was trying to get to her through the fence. my rooster 2 hens and new hen are all a year old. Tommorrow I will try and put her back in with them. Is that a good idea?

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

i've heard it is better to let the newbie in when it is in the evening. that way the older occupants would think they were always part of the flock when they woke in the morning.

i've found it seems to work with most of my birds and less issues with picking on each other while being introduced.

 

[Namble]

Hmm. Good idea I may actually try that. Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Since it is too late to quarantine, I'd put the rooster in with the new hen by himself for a couple of hours then mix them all. He will mate with her and consider her a part of his flock. There will still be some pecking order issues with the other hens since she has to earn her position in the flock, but a good rooster will keep the violence from getting out of hand. Of course, not all roosters are good, but I think it improves your odds.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. When ever I get new birds I quarantine them for at least a month. I would put the Roo with the new hen then introduce the others.