introducing new hens

[HAMISH]

I have five hens one rooster been offered more hens how can I introduce them as they come form a neighbouring plot and like mine are free range

 

[CUDA]

If they are a standard breed, just put them together, they will be fine after they re-sort out the pecking order. Also, anytime you get more chickens, it is best to keep them separate for a while to make sure there isn't any sickness problems that could infect your flock unless you trust the source of the birds.

 

[dospuercos]

I'm no expert. But I have introduced about 8 sets of new hens now quite successfully by putting them in the coop at night when the other chickens are basically walking zombies. My hens all free-range, but I also have a run. So I let all the new chickens in the run & shut the door that goes into the coop. Then I let out all the "original" chickens. So they can interact with everyone, but there is chicken wire inbetween them so they can't get close enough to injure each other. Then at night I go get them out of the run & put the new chickens in with the original chickens. After a few days of this, they act like they are all just one big happy bunch. They do fight quite a bit for the first one or two days, but like I said they can't really get to each other through the chicken wire. And when they do get put all together after a few days, they fight a little, but not enough to really injure each other. I have also done this where I put the new chicken in a rabbit cage or I also have a batting cage with a net all the way around it & I will put the new chickens inside it so that the others can interact through the netting, but not get inside to actually injure the new chickens. Hope this helps.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I quarantine my newbies for a week to see that they are ok then introdice them at night after everyone else is asleep. Seems to help some with the being picked on business

 

[HAMISH]

Mine all sleep in a tree
I have a nice cosy outbuilding they lay there at pres I havent a run but will get on with one this week a fenced off area so least can but new ones in there first