Introducing new hen

[Bdbutton]

I have 2 hens and would like to get 1 more. What is the best way to introduce a new one??

 

[SueT]

Make a temporary 'see-no-touch' set up and monitor their reactions. It may take a week or 2 or more before you can put them together.

 

[DobieLover]

After the 30-day quarantine period is over you can place the new hen in a crate inside your coop for a week or so of no contact acquaintance. If they seem to be getting along, either let everyone out to free range together for the day or place the new hen on the roost with your other hens after dark and let them wake up together.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Better to get 2 at a time if you are able

 

[aart]

I have 2 hens and would like to get 1 more. What is the best way to introduce a new one??

Integrating a single bird can be tricky...
...integrating any number of birds works best with 'extra' space.
Knowing more about how big your coop and run is(in feet by feet, with pics) might help garner specific suggestions.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/

and here's some tips about......
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Bdbutton]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

 

[Melky]

Here is an article regarding adding to your flock you may need the know.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

Welcome!

 

[Bdbutton]

Thank you Melky, that was very helpful.