New chickens

[McGregor]

Hi we had two cinnamon queens sadly one died a week ago, so we went to the same person we got them from and got two more younger hens 17 weeks, one is an Americana and the other a sexlink. We slowly introduced them to the other chicken separated but in the same area over a few days and now they are in the enclosure together during the day but we have still hadn’t them in a separate crate at night it’s been 3 days. The older bird was at first very vocal wouldn’t shut up now she is just on her own sitting down not even bothering with the two new birds. Is this normal until they get used to each other?

 

[azygous]

No reaction means they are used to one another already. That's what you want to see - zero drama.

Chickens do not need buddies. Simply having other chickens around satisfies the flock instincts. If adult hens bond, it usually take a number of years. On the other hand, if you get baby chicks and raise them together, they have a life long bond. Every other relationship is a flock bond governed by seniority and assertive temperament that determines rank in the flock.