Introducing New Hens

[ChickInnMama]

Hi,

We currently have 6 hens that are about 6-7 months old. They get along for the most part, we do have one that is definitely the top of the pecking order and she does peck at some others at times. I’ve read horror stories about chickens being scalped and pecked mercilessly when added to a coop. My chickens we had growing up were given to my aunt and her chickens killed them. So while I want to get some more chickens I’m a little nervous to add to our flock. I’ve read to add them at night to the coop and then put them separate but within sight of them during the day… is there anything else I can do if needed? Thanks for any advice!

 

[3KillerBs]

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

Space is really important.

The usual guidelines of 4 square feet in the coop and 10 square feet in the run are not necessarily adequate during integration.