Introducing two new hens

[Hanksjordan]

Hey all. I have 5 hens currently, they started laying about 2 months ago. They’re approx 8-10 months old. We want to take in a couple new hens (Americaunas). Will it be problematic to just throw them in with the other 5? The two new ones are approx the same age as well.
With it being winter, I can’t separate them or keep them apart because they’ll all need to go in the coop at night to keep warm.

 

[Mrs. K]

They might work out fine. What I would do, is let the others out of the coop/run into your yard mid morning. Then put the new pair in there, and lock the others out. Feed if you can close to the fence on both sides. Wait until it is very close to dark, let the oldies in, and while there might be a scuffle or two, the urge to roost will send them in, and it will quickly get too dark to do much in there.

This does two things, it allows the new girls to explore the set up, find the feeders and waters, explore the coop and nesting area WITHOUT being chased for their lives. And it seems to let the others see them in there.

Do go down early the next morning to check on things. And this strategy is based on:

• You really do have enough room in the coop and run for that many birds.
• That you have hideouts set up in the run and in the coop, where birds can get away from each other
• you have roosts, where a bird on one roost, cannot reach a bird on the other - sometimes a piece of cardboard will separate a roost
• you have multiple feed bowls, and when a bird is eating at one bowl, they cannot see a bird eating at the other.

Mrs K

 

[jeapa]

In my experience that is not a good idea. I have a rule that I never bring anything but day old chicks to eventually integrate into my flock. I am too nervous about bringing sickness, pests, and disease. You will be taking a risk of introducing these to your flock if you don't quarantine.

I wouldn't do it unless you can keep them seperate for a few weeks.