Introducing ready-to-lay pullets to my senior girl

[Anne88]

Hi all,

I started my backyard chicken farming career last year with four old girls from a battery. None of them were in great shape and by winter all but one had passed away--I suspect they were pretty old. The one that I still have (Blanch) was in sorry looking shape with only half her feathers until she was the last on standing, at which point she began to flourish. Her feathers grew in and she was perfect all winter long and still is. She even kept laying almost daily throughout the whole Canadian winter. Now I have four pullets coming tomorrow that I ordered a few months ago. When I ordered them, I didn't think old Blanch would still be with me. Now it's time to receive the new birds and I'm worried how this will affect my old girl. Can anyone suggest the best way to introduce the new birds to Blanch? I have a 4x4 coop and a 6x10 covered run--so I don't believe space will be an issue. Are the pullets liable to pick on Blanch? Do young birds respect old birds? Hoping for some good advice.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

She will most likely be the boss. At least until one of the other pullets matures more and takes over. How old are the new birds?

 

[Anne88]

She will most likely be the boss. At least until one of the other pullets matures more and takes over. How old are the new birds?

The new birds are just ready to lay so I expect they're 18-20 weeks old.

 

[townchicks]

I'm a big believer in "look but don't touch" introductions. That is, have a see through barrier between the old hen and the new girls for a few days to weeks until they all feel like they are the same flock. The new girls will not automatically respect the old girl, usually the opposite , there is always some hen in a flock that is looking to "dethrone" an older or weaker flock leader. In your case, what I would do is fence off a portion of your run, and put the new girls in there during the day, leaving access to the coop for your hen to go in and out. A dog exercise pen works well for something like this. You can then lift the new girls into the coop after dark. Get up very early the next day before the chickens rise, to monitor interactions. If they are picking on her, separate them again, and continue to the same routine until there are no squabbles. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

I would let Blanch out into the yard, and lock your new girls in the set up. Let them explore, feed along the fence so they kind of eat together. This is basically the see but not touching without a lot of fence building. You use the run wall to keep them separated. You might put the young girls in a dog crate in the coop at night for a couple of nights.

After two to three days of this, I would let Blanche back into the set up pretty close to dark, and they should all go to roost together, might be some squawking, but let it go unless it gets bloody.

You will have 5 birds, in a fairly small space. Can you post a picture? An extra roost might really help.

With 4 against an older established bird, I would expect this not to take too long, and go well, but I have a lot more space than you do, you really are a bit short on space needed for integration.

Mrs K

 

[Anne88]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! I ended up heeding the advice of the farm supply that sold me the pullets (mostly because his suggestion seemed simplest). The guy told me to just keep the young ones in the bin that I picked them up with until dark then place them into the coop with old Blanch. It was a quiet night
At first light today I went out and opened the coop door. Blanch went out for a minute then decided to go back inside. I had to get to work so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I have a camera inside the coop and I've been watching all day. Blanch is nasty. I was so worried that my old girl would be picked on--not so! I can't believe the nasty streak in her! She's had all four of the youngsters cornered in the coop all day and won't let them out!! Can't wait to get home from work so I can put them all outside with the food and water.

 

[Mrs. K]

The problem is, that is Blanche's territory. And you put the pullets in a strange place, after a strange trip, and they are not even laying - so three strikes and Blanch is calling the shots.

If you are off this week-end - try my suggestion. It will allow the pullets to gain some territorial rights. Blanche will see them in there and the sky does not fall. With her out of there, they will get brave enough to explore.

However, if there was no blood, you don't want to totally separate them, as then you will have to start over, and you have the worst part over with. Try putting Blanch on the outside, and the girls in the inside of the run.

Mrs K

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

The problem is, that is Blanche's territory. And you put the pullets in a strange place, after a strange trip, and they are not even laying - so three strikes and Blanch is calling the shots.

If you are off this week-end - try my suggestion. It will allow the pullets to gain some territorial rights. Blanche will see them in there and the sky does not fall. With her out of there, they will get brave enough to explore.

However, if there was no blood, you don't want to totally separate them, as then you will have to start over, and you have the worst part over with. Try putting Blanch on the outside, and the girls in the inside of the run.

Mrs K

That is what I would say.