South Carolina

[WestKnollAmy]

It is a big myth that you can introduce chickens at night and they get along the next day. People only think that because they are not up and out in the coop before daylight to see the fighting.
Even introducing with a cage does not usually work. Once the bird is out there is still a pecking order to be established.

 

[KPenley]

So what's the best way to introduce new birds then?

 

[WestKnollAmy]

You need to put 2-3 or more in at a time to a flock. If possible, remove some of the others to disrupt the pecking order. Maybe one of the top hens and one on down the line like 3rd or 4th in line. In 2 days put those back into the flock and though there will be some scuffling, it won't be nearly as bad.

This has been most successful for me.

 

[Avonshire]

Yes please help! I don't have room for more than 2 more birds in that coop and at present I only have one bird! My son suggested I borrow a hen or two from someone for the introduction and then give it back once the pecking order is established!

 

[RedBugPoultry]

You need to put 2-3 or more in at a time to a flock. If possible, remove some of the others to disrupt the pecking order. Maybe one of the top hens and one on down the line like 3rd or 4th in line. In 2 days put those back into the flock and though there will be some scuffling, it won't be nearly as bad.

This has been most successful for me.

X2

 

[RedBugPoultry]

You need to put 2-3 or more in at a time to a flock. If possible, remove some of the others to disrupt the pecking order. Maybe one of the top hens and one on down the line like 3rd or 4th in line. In 2 days put those back into the flock and though there will be some scuffling, it won't be nearly as bad.

This has been most successful for me.

X2

 

[Avonshire]

Ok I know you will think I am silly but how do I know who is top hen? I can do that although now I need a second hen to go in there with my new one. That is fine with me since I wanted a new one anyway! I just have a small flock so moving birds around is not easy. Also if I get a second one to go with my new one I got today is it ok to put them together right away?

You need to put 2-3 or more in at a time to a flock. If possible, remove some of the others to disrupt the pecking order. Maybe one of the top hens and one on down the line like 3rd or 4th in line. In 2 days put those back into the flock and though there will be some scuffling, it won't be nearly as bad.

This has been most successful for me.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

How did that happen????

Hummm. I tried to correct something.....

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Amy, how is your DH doing? Hope he is feeling better!

 

[RockerHen]

I went to the show today, lots of beautiful birds! I was surprised that there wasn't many silkies though. I did have my eye on a trio of modern games, but the guy selling them never came back out for me to buy them

Afterwards, we went to the jockey lot (I know, I know, I picked my birds carefully

) and obtained a royal palm hen, an easter egger hen, and what I believe is a LF partridge cochin. I almost didn't notice her, a big feathery thing smashed into a cage with a bunch of easter egger hens. Her color was so gorgeous, I just had to have her. I don't think she has much cochin type, but I love her coloring. Her foot feathering looks like it was cut, or rubbed off from the cage she was in, so I think it's actually longer than they are now. She's very calm. I think she's a pretty nice jockey lot find!


My toms were very excited at what I brought home