Need advice adding new hens to flock ...

[ChixinLyons]

Good morning! I'm new to the forum, but been a user of the site for much longer. Love it!! We've had four hens since March of this year (actually started with six but one died as a chick and another was killed by a dog visiting the neighbor up the hill two weeks ago -- and we were worried about the coyotes, bobcats, and foxes!? They're all about 20 weeks old and getting ready to start laying eggs. Here's our problem ... we have room for and want a larger flock so we added two more hens (about the same age or maybe one week older) two nights ago. We were told to add them in by placing them on a roost in the coop after the original hens had gone in the coop for the night, so we did this. Supposedly, when they all woke up yesterday they would get along as if they'd been in the same flock since birth! Unfortunately, that didn't happen and three of the original four are really picking on the two new hens -- actually kept them pinned in a corner of the coop all day yesterday without food or water! We have food and water in the coop and the pen today so that everyone stays hydrated, but need to know what to do to get these hens on the same page. Anyone? Thank you!

 

[CMTSMWC]

When I first introduce new chickens to the flock I always keep them separate yet able to see each other for a while. This allows the other girls to get used to them without being to pick on them too much. When you do add them for real they are going to get picked on to establish "pecking" order. But it should eventually get better. You just have to let them do their thing, unless they are pulling a lot of feathers and it looks like they are truly trying to hurt them then separate them for a little while longer. That is just what I do and it works great for me. I can even introduce smaller birds with no problems.

 

[ChixinLyons]

We'll try that when we get home tonight! Thank you so much!

 

[CMTSMWC]

Your welcome I hope it works for you!