Introducing Pullets to 2 Grown Hens

CajunRoo

Chirping
Nov 30, 2023
27
127
79
Southern Louisiana, USA
I have purchased qty: 9 pullets (barred rock[6] and leghorn[3]) and one cockrel of unknown breed. These were introduced to my two hens from my original flock and start of chickenry, they are the last survivors from a flock of 12..
Within the first 2 days, there were no disasters or ruffled feathers thankfully. I have heard this can go poorly with existing birds so I wanted to share my experience. The cockrel is familiar with the pullets so I did not expect anything to happen between them, just concerned about my 2 hens and their reaction.
It has been 1 week now and they all roost together, but tend to hang around in packs when outside of the coop/roost.
At this rate I expect full integration by all birds in a 4-6 week period.
Any behavior I should be looking for during this period outside of the obvious pecking to death?
 
How did the 2 hens react?
How are they housed(size of coop and run)?
The coop is a 8'x5' 2 teir (12" above ground roosting/nesting box) chicken tractor and the run is about 1/3 acre backyard.
The 2 grown hens one australorp and the other speckled Sussex, reacted very well. A brief moment of WTF and then the SS hen took the reigns of top bird even tho the cockrel is matching in size. He has made his way to the top rung of the roost with the other 2 hens but they aren't in bed yet as the cockrel has some time before he reaches reproductive maturity.
 

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