Introducing older hen to younger flock?

[Madhouse Pullet]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place to ask but does anyone have experience introducing an older hen to a younger flock? I've been debating on getting a red laying hen for eggs at the moment but my chicks are still young.
1 older hen (4-5 months old) to a younger flock of 5 chicks (2months old)?

 

[Mrs. K]

Adding a single hen can be tough, but in this case, I would expect it to go well. She can't chase all of them. Do have an escape hideout, such as a pallet or plywood laid over cement blocks, just high enough for the chicks to escape out of her reach.

Do make sure the bird you are adding is healthy and free of parasites. A strange bird can bring in disease.

Mrs K

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

Adding a single hen can be tough, but in this case, I would expect it to go well. She can't chase all of them. Do have an escape hideout, such as a pallet or plywood laid over cement blocks, just high enough for the chicks to escape out of her reach.

Do make sure the bird you are adding is healthy and free of parasites. A strange bird can bring in disease.

Mrs K

Thank you so much! I'll definitely keep that in mind. The laying hens are huge in comparison so I was afraid of them getting squished.

 

[Besotted]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place to ask but does anyone have experience introducing an older hen to a younger flock? I've been debating on getting a red laying hen for eggs at the moment but my chicks are still young.
1 older hen (4-5 months old) to a younger flock of 5 chicks (2months old)?

Dear Madhouse-Can you tell me how this went for you? I have a 5 month old bantam Cochin hen raised with 3 other birds who all became roosters(!). She is pretty calm though makes some noise when the Roos are removed from her. I want to keep her, but she can’t stay alone, so I want to add her to the 8 week old chicks I just got. Do you have any advice based on your experience doing this? Anything you can offer would be most welcone. Thank you!

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

Dear Madhouse-Can you tell me how this went for you? I have a 5 month old bantam Cochin hen raised with 3 other birds who all became roosters(!). She is pretty calm though makes some noise when the Roos are removed from her. I want to keep her, but she can’t stay alone, so I want to add her to the 8 week old chicks I just got. Do you have any advice based on your experience doing this? Anything you can offer would be most welcone. Thank you!

I decided to wait until they got a little older...
My chicks are 11 weeks and I just got a 4-5 month old RIR. Today is Day 2 and my cockerel pecked her a few times but they've been coexisting with distance ever since.

The new member, Courtney