What to expect when adding new hens

[ColtHandorf]

Why not add the BSL one at a time into the EE pen. Once they are all getting along then take the divider away.

 

[Miks]

Welcome to our FUN-omenal community! Best wishes and have Lots of FUN!

Take a look at this link

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1164542/topic-of-the-week-adding-new-chickens-to-the-flock/0_30

Thank so much for the welcome and the links!

 

[Miks]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I would allow them to free range together. Let new EEs out first for about an hour to learn the lay of the land, then let the BSL out. There will be some chasing but the EEs should be faster and can evade getting pecked. As long as no blood is being drawn, leave them to figure things out on their own.

Here’s hoping EEs are faster than sex linked!

 

[Miks]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I would allow them to free range together. Let new EEs out first for about an hour to learn the lay of the land, then let the BSL out. There will be some chasing but the EEs should be faster and can evade getting pecked. As long as no blood is being drawn, leave them to figure things out on their own.

Thank you! I will watch for blood! Hopefully they will get along!

 

[Miks]

Hello, and welcome! Glad that you joined! Good luck with merging the new with the old.

Thank you!

 

[Miks]

A lot will depend on what your run looks like. Is it a big open rectangle, where a bird in any part of the run, can see any other birds in the run. I often see that type of run, and they are boring for chickens, and do not allow chickens to get away from each other.

If so, add clutter and junk. Form mini walls, where a bird behind one, cannot be seen from other areas of the run, put a feed station there. Add some roosts, where a bird can jump up on, or a platform where a bird can get on top of, or underneath in the shade. Lean a pallet up against a wall. Put a tote on its side or a large cardboard box - gives protection from the wind, a bit of shade, and a place to get out of sight.

If you have a run like that, I would expect very little trouble adding the new birds. If the new ones have not been in the run, or just a corner of it. Let the old ones out for the day into your yard. Let the new ones explore the set up without being chased. Maybe chase them yourself a little bit, so they can see how the hideouts work. Then let the bigs in at near dark. There might be a little pecking, but I would doubt much.

Mrs K

These are some great options!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you! I will watch for blood! Hopefully they will get along!

They likely will remain somewhat segregated subflocks for a while. They will eventually integrate. Let them do this at their own pace. Try not to interfere at all. They all need to learn their place in the new pecking order. A little blood on their combs is not at all uncommon and isn't something to concern yourself with. If one of the birds is getting cornered and outright attacked, that is not normal behavior and should be addressed.

 

[Graceeelizabeth5]

I have been letting them free range together for about a month. Seems long but we were in the middle of building a new coop. So we ended up putting them all in the barn. Only one hen still chases the newbies, but everyone else including our roo have accepted them!

 

[Eggscaping]

So I have 3 black sex links that are a year old. There is not fighting amongst the three they get along great. I’m adding 3 EEs (they were supposed to be AMs). The EEs are pretty big and the run area has been divided for 3 weeks now to give them time to adjust to each other. The EEs have been sleeping in a temporary coop at night. When I finally take down the partition, how much pecking should I expect? Some say to put them in the same coop after dark and other said let them free range together. I’m really wanting to get this right without anyone being harmed. I’ve had the EEs since April and they were about 3 weeks old at the time. They are a good size now. Thanks for any suggestions. Not sure what to expect or when/if I should intervene when combining them.

Welcome to BackYardChickens! So glad to have you here in our wonderful community of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people!

 

[Miks]

A lot will depend on what your run looks like. Is it a big open rectangle, where a bird in any part of the run, can see any other birds in the run. I often see that type of run, and they are boring for chickens, and do not allow chickens to get away from each other.

If so, add clutter and junk. Form mini walls, where a bird behind one, cannot be seen from other areas of the run, put a feed station there. Add some roosts, where a bird can jump up on, or a platform where a bird can get on top of, or underneath in the shade. Lean a pallet up against a wall. Put a tote on its side or a large cardboard box - gives protection from the wind, a bit of shade, and a place to get out of sight.

If you have a run like that, I would expect very little trouble adding the new birds. If the new ones have not been in the run, or just a corner of it. Let the old ones out for the day into your yard. Let the new ones explore the set up without being chased. Maybe chase them yourself a little bit, so they can see how the hideouts work. Then let the bigs in at near dark. There might be a little pecking, but I would doubt much.

Mrs K

Thanks so much for taking the time to share! I’m really grateful for your post. This will really help! I never thought of hiding places! Maybe because they’ve always gotten along so splendidly when it was just the three of them. Thank you!