One old chicken adding younger birds.

[Barry T]

We have one quite old chicken that is no longer laying. Can we add new younger birds to create flock. Old bird is very domesticated and seeks company of people when out of the yard but how will it react to new birds.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Chickens are flock animals, usually they (eventually) do like company and she may be happy to have a friend once she gets used to them ... but an old bird that has been alone for a while, might be used to ruling the roost unchallenged and might have an ongoing problem with new birds, especially if she just can't compete with them / keep up with them anymore physically and winds up getting bullied... I would be prepared to have to keep her separate from the younger birds indefinitely. You might try to get a more docile breed like Orpingtons for a better chance of it working out.

When you introduce them, it is best to wait until they are about the same size (if you get chicks) and then have a long period of the two flocks being able to see each other but no touching, through wire seem to work best, ie dividing the coop into two sections or keeping the new/younger ones in a cage inside the coup for a couple of weeks to a month at least. The chickens will get to know each other and sort of work out a pecking order before actually coming in contact with each other. After a week or two, letting them free range together while you supervise is a good idea and should help... It will take a couple of weeks to get the pecking order sorted out... you should be able to see whether or not the birds will get along and if you will be able to combine them without danger to your old girl. There is a nice article in the Learning Center on integrating flocks you might like to check out, the part about actually combining them is after the quarantine section https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

You might like to check out the BYC Learning Center, lots of good articles on all aspects of chicken keeping you'll find useful with the flock. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

And Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[Barry T]

Thank you much appreciated