Introducing Pullets to adult flock

[ther00ster'scr0w]

I have three 14 1/2 week old pullets (RIR, BA, and SLW) and have a flock of 7 hens (all laying) with 1 rooster.

I have finished the quarantine period of the pullets, and they seem to be in perfect health. When I let the 8 out to free range, sometimes I will let the 3 out to get them familiar with each other. There is some pecking, and the hens do seem to ignore them for the most part, and the rooster actually chases them a bit. Is this normal?

And...are they old enough to move in with each other? or are they still young? the 3 pullets do seem a bit afraid of the others, but I am guessing that is just normal.

Any help would be great!

 

[chookchick]

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Free-ranging them together is a great way to let them get to know each other. The rooster is protecting his flock from "threats"--strange chickens that might carry disease--so this is normal, and not a bad way for him to behave. Is there any way you can pen the new pullets next to the old ones, so they can "be seen, but not touched" for a few weeks? That way, they will become accepted as "part of the flock". Normally it is best to wait until the pullets are pretty much full grown (at least 5 months) before introduction, but you may be able to move that up a bit with free-ranging together. Once the rooster starts to have an interest in them, things will change.