Introducing new hens

[Freyaschild]

Hi,
New to group, and not that knowledgeable about chickens. We have probably done things in the wrong order/way, so looking for some help. About a year ago we started our chicken adventure. We got 3 adult hens with a rooster, then also some smaller 8 week old. All good for a year until the littles grew up .Had 6 hens, with 2 roosters (older one being dominant). Thankfully younger one is swift! Decided to get 6 more hens (12 weeks) with the hope that this would become the year old roosters flock. The 6 new hens are isolated right now...so the question is...how to introduce rooster to hens and hopefully bond...so we can eventually have everyone at once in the yard without bickering...older rooster with 6 older hens and younger rooster with new hens. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[DobieLover]

Hi,
New to group, and not that knowledgeable about chickens. We have probably done things in the wrong order/way, so looking for some help. About a year ago we started our chicken adventure. We got 3 adult hens with a rooster, then also some smaller 8 week old. All good for a year until the littles grew up .Had 6 hens, with 2 roosters (older one being dominant). Thankfully younger one is swift! Decided to get 6 more hens (12 weeks) with the hope that this would become the year old roosters flock. The 6 new hens are isolated right now...so the question is...how to introduce rooster to hens and hopefully bond...so we can eventually have everyone at once in the yard without bickering...older rooster with 6 older hens and younger rooster with new hens. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Welcome to BYC!
Are you housing them in separate coops?
How much space do you have?
You can integrate the pullets into the flock anytime as long as you have the space to do a "look don't touch" arrangement for about a week and your coop is large enough to house them.
They are well before POL so hopefully the boys will leave them alone.
If you are housing two separate flocks in two separate coops with free ranging together, that will change the approach.
Regardless of your intentions to have these new pullets for the younger rooster, they all will decide who they want to be with. The older guy may get them all or lose some of the hens to the younger guy.
You may also find that one day, the younger submissive rooster has decided he's had enough of being the door mat to the older guy and they start fighting.
Or they may work things out.

 

[aart]

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

What are your goals for keeping chickens?
Keeping multiple males is often fraught with problems.
That younger male might be good with the new pullets ...or not.
Have a Plan B ready.

If you are intent on keeping two flocks, each with one male, in separate coops,
you may have to range them on alternate days.

@DobieLover has asked some important questions.

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Freyaschild
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!