Merging to Flocks

[little boy farm]

I have a flock of 5 Rhode Island Red hens that are about one year old. A a co-worker of my mother's has 2 Hampshire Red hens that she is willing to give to us for free. I have an indoor pen that my 5 birds stay in and a mobile outside pen that my father built. My Questions are how should I merge the two flocks and question two is the woman that is giving away the other 2 chickens is getting rid of them because they are two loud. I was wondering if that is the case of the chickens not being able to free range (which I let my flock do almost everyday) or if it is the breed that is naturally loud. Thank You for if you read this far in the post and if you could respond that would be very much appreciated!

 

[terryg]

I have a FAQ about merging small flocks like yours. Read it here: http://hencam.com/faq/introducing-new-hens/
Some hens are loud, and nothing you do will change that. However, you're right to think that if they're busy scratching and roaming that they won't talk quite so much! I've written about that too - I have one Barnevelder that spends a half hour announcing that she's about to lay, and another half that she's done the job. Nothing is going to quiet her down. But, in between all of that she is a fine hen
http://hencam.com/henblog/2012/06/how-loud-are-hens/