Introducing two new pullets to a flock of two

[zprice1]

Just went from four chickens down to two. One turned out to be a rooster so I gave him away and one flew out of the run and got taken care of by our golden retriever. Raising the fence to 6 feet and clipping one wing.
The two remaining hens are a Black Australorp and Buff Orpington and are about 15 weeks old.

Can I easily add two new hens to this mix? Should I try to find some of comparable age or could I get older hens that are already laying (don't want anymore rooster mistakes)?

Thanks for the advice

 

[Angiebubs]

I would recommend putting new hens into a cage within the coop for a day or two (highly recommend keeping any new chickens separate for the first 2-4 weeks to ensure they aren't sick!!!!) when introducing them. Then when you do let them out together, be there to watch for the first couple of hours. Make sure there are enough areas to run away/escape as needed until they get used to each other. Boxes to get behind, roosts to jump up to , etc. I have added a variety to my flock (after quarantine) doing this and with little or no issues-including banties to large fowl flock. Good luck!

 

[zprice1]

Might have access to 4 Buff Orphington laying hens from a friend that is moving so I know they are not sick. Should I take precautions bringing 4 older hens into a coop of two younger pullets?

Thanks.

 

[Mrs. K]

The younger pullets will have home turf advantage, the older pullets will have the age advantage. Buffs are generally fairly mild acting. Put them in at night, and I don't think you will have a problem at all.

However, 15 weeks are not full grown, and what was enough space for 4 immature and smaller birds, might not be enough space for 6 full grown birds. Do make sure you have enough space, as lack of space causes a lot of problems.

Mrs K