New girls into the flock...once again!

[DebraB]

Have just added 2 NH Reds to m y other 9 girls 5 of which are reds also. I had them out in the yard and let the new ones wander into the pen and look around a bit before the others went in, all seems well for a while then it started to rain I mean POUR. The new reds would not come down off the high perch to get out of the rain. When the rain let down after dark I went out and moved them to another perch with the others out of the weather and figured all would be well..........Not Happnin!! I know they need to establish a pecking order but my other girls keep them from the food and water and really pick on one more than the other. Would it help to let all the original birds out in the yard for their daily jaunt and leave the others in during this readjustment period? Also, my pen is 8 x 16 I want to expand another 8' but not in the next couple weeks is this space sufficient for 11 birds, I have enough nests for 7 to be laying at once if needed.

 

[Den in Penn]

Space is alright. Put a second food and water in makes it more difficult to defend. Leave the new ones in the coop if that's what they want.