We have a strict code in our city, and are only able to keep four hens. We recently lost a hen, and would like to replace her. Is it possible to get just one chick and introduce her successfully? I would love to get more, but we are trying to do the right thing. Three hens just don't lay enough eggs for our family... Four hens don't either, but that's another story. Thanks!
Yes, you sure can introduce a new hen to the flock but there are some rules....keep the new hen separate from the others for awhile to be sure there is no disease coming in or bacteria your other hens will react to! That is very important. then have the new hen where the others can see and hear her for a week or two before introducing her AT NIGHT WHEN THE OTHERS ARE AT ROOST. It should be a smooth introduction then. I have a brooder box that is chicken wire so the flock can see and hear the new chicks that are hatched here. I keep the chicks inside the brooder box until they are big enough to fend for themselves unless they are with the mama hen, then I leave all of them in there for two weeks. I leave a door open to the brooder box as it seems mama hen likes to take the babies back inside the brooder at night. Soon she will let them stay out in the coop on their own.
It might help to take out one of your current flock and have the newbie and the old hen together for a while before reintroducing both. It will depend on your flock as to how it will go, some hens can be really aggressive, others will be fine. It's hard to say until you try.