Introducing new hens

[Jabroni]

I need tips. How do I get my hens to get along with my new pullets? Do I just need to give it time? It's only been two days but my hens are not even letting the pullets come out of the coop.

 

[Mrs. K]

We need some more facts - what size of coop, and run? How is the run set up? How many old birds and young birds do you have.

Very frequently I see runs that are just bare open rectangles. By putting in stuff to block the line of sight can really help introducing birds. Adding clutter is what I call it. Roosts in the run, pallets up on blocks like platforms that birds can get under or on top of, mini walls of cardboard or plywood, where a bird can step behind and be out of sight can really help. Then setting up multiple feed bowls so that a bird eating at one cannot see a bird eating at another.

Another trick, is to let the older birds out of the coop/run, and lock the littles in the coop/run. This lets them explore without being chased, they gain some territorial rights. Let the big girls back in as close to dark as you can.

Mrs K

 

[Jabroni]

We need some more facts - what size of coop, and run? How is the run set up? How many old birds and young birds do you have.

Very frequently I see runs that are just bare open rectangles. By putting in stuff to block the line of sight can really help introducing birds. Adding clutter is what I call it. Roosts in the run, pallets up on blocks like platforms that birds can get under or on top of, mini walls of cardboard or plywood, where a bird can step behind and be out of sight can really help. Then setting up multiple feed bowls so that a bird eating at one cannot see a bird eating at another.

Another trick, is to let the older birds out of the coop/run, and lock the littles in the coop/run. This lets them explore without being chased, they gain some territorial rights. Let the big girls back in as close to dark as you can.

Mrs K

Yes I let the hens out of the run today but it did not make all the pullets come out of the coop - only one came out.

I was down to 2 Rhode Island Reds (I had 6 and we gave one to a neighbor and recently a racoon killed 3) and we just bought 4 Barred Rocks (one young hen & 3 pullets).

The run is about 10×20ft and there are some logs and an old double kitchen sink for dust baths. The first day in the run they just avoided each other but the Reds don't let the new ones out of the coop during the day. Each time one tries to come out a Red charges it back inside. They aren't fighting or drawing blood just this generic bullying. If I throw scratch feed at the pullets the hens chase them away from it etc. I think I do have some old pallets so maybe I'll separate the run into sections. I have to put the Reds in the coop before dark myself because the racoon comes around when its just time for them to start going in themselves (right at dusk) and that's when they got attacked. And when I put the Reds in, the new ones run out scared. Then the Reds won't let them on the roosting branch and only one new hen is brave enough to stay put and the rest are stuck on the smaller lower roosting bar or the edge of the nesting box or right on the floor I'm not certain. I will try sectioning; thank you for the advice. I cannot let the old hens out of the coop unless I'm there to supervise them; they get harassed by young bucks in the daytime (yes I saw this happen) and we have hawks and my neighbors' dogs frequently get off the leash.