Introducing new hens, when they have separate coops!

[BaarFamily]

I have four hens and one rooster, I have 10 chicks awaiting their new home in the coop. I have two separate coops for the two sets of hens (old hens, new hens), how do I go about introducing the new hens to their homes AND the new flock when they don’t have the same coop? Should I get them used to their new home first, then introduce to the new flock, help, not sure what to do?

 

[Sueby]

So 2 separate coops for them, but a shared run? How old are the chicks?

When I get new chicks, I have a 2nd coop they are raised in. The coop & it's attached run are also inside my big run. So the babies get used to the big girls for weeks/months with a fence between them. Then when ready I open the gate & they mingle during the day but each group goes to their respective coops at night.

Maybe a little detail on your set up would help - or pics would be even better.

 

[BaarFamily]

Ok! So we have two separate coops and two separate runs, and my current older chickens free range most of the day, just not sure how to introduce them given my set up, I attached a picture. Also, do I introduce them to each other first or their coop?

 

[Sueby]

I'm no expert, I don't free range, but I'd put the newbies in their coop & lock them in for a couple days, this will home them to the coop so they know where to go at night (this will be important to establish before they eventually free range). Then let them out but locked in their run. They might need a little help the first couple days getting in at night, maybe not. & when they are in their run the big girls will discover them when free ranging, maybe throw some scratch on the fence line so they snack together for a week or 2. & then, eventually, I'd finally let them all free range together. Taking it a bit slow will get them all used to each other & hopefully keep any fighting minimal.

 

[aart]

then, eventually, I'd finally let them all free range together. Taking it a bit slow will get them all used to each other & hopefully keep any fighting minimal.

Might be good to let the newbie range on their own before allowing all to range together.
Make sure they learn the lay of the land and go back to their own coop at dusk.
Are the 2 coops a long range plan?
Eventually they may all want to roost in the same coop.

 

[BaarFamily]

I'm no expert, I don't free range, but I'd put the newbies in their coop & lock them in for a couple days, this will home them to the coop so they know where to go at night (this will be important to establish before they eventually free range). Then let them out but locked in their run. They might need a little help the first couple days getting in at night, maybe not. & when they are in their run the big girls will discover them when free ranging, maybe throw some scratch on the fence line so they snack together for a week or 2. & then, eventually, I'd finally let them all free range together. Taking it a bit slow will get them all used to each other & hopefully keep any fighting minimal.

Thank you!! This is so helpful!! That is what I will do!

 

[BaarFamily]

Might be good to let the newbie range on their own before allowing all to range together.
Make sure they learn the lay of the land and go back to their own coop at dusk.
Are the 2 coops a long range plan?
Eventually they may all want to roost in the same coop.

 

[BaarFamily]

This is also super helpful! That makes sense. Just maybe keep my bigs in their run while the newbies learn the lay of the land making sure then know to go back to their coop at night. Two coops is not the long term plan, we just bought our property almost a year ago and we’ve had multiple projects, the goal is to rebuild a new, bigger coop for them all just haven’t gotten there yet. But you’re right that would be true best situation Thank you for all your help!