Question on introducing all new chickens

[KNChickens]

Slightly niche scenario question. We had bad luck with some straight run chicks this year (too many roos!) and find ourselves with only one new girl to add to our established flock of five. I understand adding one bird isn't recommended, so I have found some other same-aged pullets to be friends with our lone girl before moving in with the big girls. The new young ones are not an established group already - they will all be new to each other.
I can find plenty of suggestions about how to intro new chickens to established flocks, but does anyone have tips on introducing several new chickens to each other?
ETA: Older crew are all a year old. Young ones are 11-13 weeks.
ALSO: New young ones are coming from separate flocks within one farm.

 

[Yardmom]

With plenty of space (like a coop) several waterers and feeders and several things to hide behind I would try putting all the young together. There will be a bit a sparing, but since it is everyone for themselves I wouldn't expect it to get to bad. Obviously keep an eye on it in case one is a bully

 

[Mrs. K]

I would expect a bit of bluster, and then settle down. Your original new girl might have a bit of territory rights, but by adding several to her, and all strangers, it should go pretty well.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You never know how it will go with living animals, you just do not get guarantees. Introducing immature juveniles to mature hens adds some complexities also. How much room you have in the coop and in the run can have a big influence also. The more room the better.

You are going to be disrupting the flock dynamics anyway. I'd put them all in at the same time to disrupt it once and see what happens. It is as good a way as any other and may be the easiest.

Good luck!

 

[GreatGrandPa]

I introduced a young pullet 3 months old to the older laying hens at night. All went well that night. But, the next Morning they started running and jumping on the pullet. Not old enough, I reckon. I'm trying to trade the young cockrell raised with the pullet for another pullet RIRs. Hopefully, the more the merrier.

 

[Mrs. K]

I introduced a young pullet 3 months old to the older laying hens at night.

Adding a single bird to a flock is the hardest integration. A younger bird, will make it more difficult. But it can be done.

Letting the new bird explore the run and coop without being harassed by the original birds. One can do this by letting the old girls out of the run to 'free range'. Feed near the fence. Do not let the old girls in till nearly dark. The urge to roost will be as strong as the urge to fight.

But take a look at your run. Is there hide outs? Roosts? Platforms that birds can get under or on top of? Is there multiple feed bowls? All of this lets birds get out of sight of other birds.

Mrs K

 

[GreatGrandPa]

I introduced a young pullet 3 months old to the older laying hens at night. All went well that night. But, the next Morning they started running and jumping on the pullet. Not old enough, I reckon. I'm trying to trade the young cockrell raised with the pullet for another pullet RIRs. Hopefully, the more the merrier.

Adding a single bird to a flock is the hardest integration. A younger bird, will make it more difficult. But it can be done.

Letting the new bird explore the run and coop without being harassed by the original birds. One can do this by letting the old girls out of the run to 'free range'. Feed near the fence. Do not let the old girls in till nearly dark. The urge to roost will be as strong as the urge to fight.

But take a look at your run. Is there hide outs? Roosts? Platforms that birds can get under or on top of? Is there multiple feed bowls? All of this lets birds get out of sight of other birds.

Mrs K

Mrs.K, our run an coop are built on a concrete pad run frame is an old pergola, coop is an old reinforced planting table with frame and skinned with flooring base. Living in el Paso, Tx. Coop being inside the run, hung feeder and water containers, ramp up, ramp up is about it. I've read on here, with your post as well about hides and blinds. Be putting some in shortly, lol. We're only allowed 6 hens per city ordinance. 3 layers at the moment with the pullet and cockrell, which I'll just have to give away. He's just started to crow, very active. Thanks for the info.