Introducing new young chickens to current

[Quail Newbie 3]

I have 2 chickens. They are almost three months old. I may get another chicken from the same family, same age. They have not seen each other for about 3 weeks. Will they remember each other or will the pecking/attacking, etc still happen? I think three is a nice size but should I ask for a pair so the new one has company?

Also, one of my chickens is bigger than the other (my friend calls it a runt.) The little one/runt always hides under the big one at night. In the morning, the big one will be on the roost but not the small one. I've noticed the little one's feather's isn't growing as nicely as the big one. I keep trying to pull the little away from the big one, but she keeps burrowing under the big one. Is this normal?

This is my first experience to raising chickens and need all the help I can get.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You may want to initially separate the new one by a fence for a few hours to a few days, especially if you see any aggression. The little one could have something internally wrong with it. Sometimes runts are just runts and sometimes they fail to thrive and survive. Hard to say why it's hiding under the bigger one. Sometimes the safest place is right next to your biggest member.

 

[CaptainPleasant]

The chickens might remember eachother but they will still fight! Introducing just the one should be fine, but I would definitely suggest a temporary fence arrangement so that they can get used to eachother again. They may still fight when properly living together but this is normal (as long as they don't make eachother bleed!) - they are just re-establishing the pecking order hope this is helpful.

 

[aart]

I keep trying to pull the little away from the big one, but she keeps burrowing under the big one. Is this normal?

Normal. I've seen even adult birds burrow under their neighbors on the roost if they feel threatened.

Will they remember each other or will the pecking/attacking, etc still happen? I think three is a nice size but should I ask for a pair so the new one has company?

I would definitely add 2 rather than 1...... IF you have proper space for 4.
However many you add, set up an adjacent coop and run for the newbies.

Adding a single bird can be problematic, this might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-a-single-hen-to-an-existing-flock.71997/


Here's some tips on....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Quail Newbie 3]

Thank you everyone for your advice!