What breed to get

[Basschicken]

I have 6 welsummer pullets about 4 months old and I'm going to trade day tomorrow and I'm going to get a hen that's already laying and I was wondering what kind to get I want one that my pullets will get along with .thanks

 

[junebuggena]

Get more than one hen. If you only get one hen, she will be very lonely during her isolated quarantine time. When it's time to introduce her into your flock, it will be smoother if she has a buddy or two. Also, don't expect eggs from your new addition anytime soon. It can take up to a month for a hen to adjust to a new home and flock. It's also the time of year when hens are molting and production comes to a halt. Your pullets could be laying before you ever see an egg from the new girl/s.

 

[Michael OShay]

Get more than one hen. If you only get one hen, she will be very lonely during her isolated quarantine time. When it's time to introduce her into your flock, it will be smoother if she has a buddy or two. Also, don't expect eggs from your new addition anytime soon. It can take up to a month for a hen to adjust to a new home and flock. It's also the time of year when hens are molting and production comes to a halt. Your pullets could be laying before you ever see an egg from the new girl/s.

X2 on junebuggena; make sure that you introduce the new hens slowly and carefully to the flock using the "look but don't touch" method. There is a good article at https://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/introducing-new-chickens/ explaining how to do it. As to which breed (or hybrid) to get, I would recommend Black Sex Links which are very friendly and hardy, egg laying machines. I raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds and hybrids), and they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 large, brown eggs per hen per year, with double yolks not being uncommon. Whatever breed or hybrid you decide to get, good luck with your flock.