One hen left, how to introduce new ones

[marika_ouellet]

Okay, here's my question. Something (probably a fox) killed our chickens a few nights ago. We have just one left (ameraucana).
We are getting 4 new hens and 1 rooster today from 2 different places (hens are together from one place, rooster from another place).
I am wondering how to introduce everyone. I know we should not introduce 1 hen alone in a group but I have just one left so I don't have a choice.
Should I put our 1 Ameraucana with the rooster and then in a week or so, introduce these 2 to the 4 other chickens?

 

[sourland]

Sounds like a plan. Quarantine as part of the plan is suggested.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you intend to quarantine?

That may depend on how much space you have and how devastated you'd be to lose the last member of your original flock.

In your situation I *might* put everyone into a see-don't-touch together so that they can all start getting to know each other at once.

If I were doing it, I might put the 4 hens into the coop and run then put the single hen and the rooster into individual dog-crates side by side so that everyone sees everyone.

 

[aart]

We are getting 4 new hens and 1 rooster today from 2 different places (hens are together from one place, rooster from another place).

How old is the male?
How old are the females?

I'd introduce the hens to the flock first, let them settle then add the male.

Yes, consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/