What to expect when adding new hens

[Miks]

I have 6 hens in this space... 12x24 ft of garden space and a coop 4x4 and run 4x8. They are never closed in the run, unless the weather is zero or below. We cover the hardware cloth with thick clear vinyl for wind block in the winter.

Thank you so much for sharing! This is wonderful to have pictures. Our coops are similar in size but mine has a traditional roof and it a bit taller. I added 8’ x 8” x 2” wood and attached the coop all the way around. The underside of the “coop house” is about 4 feet high. So our space is very similar (I love your coop)! I have about a half acre cleared with lots of trees and landscapes islands. That have free run whenever I’m outside and seem to be very comfy in their quarters. I just fear the hawks since there are so many and always are visible in numbers at noon. I would be crushed to come home and one of my girls are missing! I have two massive sized lace leaf maples that provide a unique space to dig, play and run around. One of their favorite spots. I’m wondering if I could use the netting to make overhead cover from the hawks and enable them to run back and forth from the island to the coop? Their coop is actually inside of the island. They love their secret garden but also like to run to the back of the yard where there are no trees. Just wide open and they would be targets.

You’ve given me some great ideas! I will ponder using the netting and ways to keep them in the garden and under the safety of netting.

I also bought plexiglass to block the elements. Pops in and out so when we get bad rains I pop it in on one side only. I love the panels!

Thanks again!

 

[Shezadandy]

Thank you so much for sharing! This is wonderful to have pictures. Our coops are similar in size but mine has a traditional roof and it a bit taller. I added 8’ x 8” x 2” wood and attached the coop all the way around. The underside of the “coop house” is about 4 feet high. So our space is very similar (I love your coop)! I have about a half acre cleared with lots of trees and landscapes islands. That have free run whenever I’m outside and seem to be very comfy in their quarters. I just fear the hawks since there are so many and always are visible in numbers at noon. I would be crushed to come home and one of my girls are missing! I have two massive sized lace leaf maples that provide a unique space to dig, play and run around. One of their favorite spots. I’m wondering if I could use the netting to make overhead cover from the hawks and enable them to run back and forth from the island to the coop? Their coop is actually inside of the island. They love their secret garden but also like to run to the back of the yard where there are no trees. Just wide open and they would be targets.

You’ve given me some great ideas! I will ponder using the netting and ways to keep them in the garden and under the safety of netting.

I also bought plexiglass to block the elements. Pops in and out so when we get bad rains I pop it in on one side only. I love the panels!

Thanks again!

You can use the netting around trees. You'll have to do some stitching (we did it with zip ties) , but it can be done and the peace of mind is well worth the effort. The best part is watching a hawk bounce off your net. =)

 

[Lilyput]

Take a look at this link

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

I like to put them in the coop with other chickens at night, so they wake up with each other in the morning. That's of course after them seeing each other separately for a couple of weeks, in side by side free ranging. After the first night, they should follow the other chickens into the one coop. None of my flock attack. I have fifteen, with a lot of ameracaunas, two speckled sussex, two wyandottes, one wellsummer, one comet, one australorp, one leghorn, and one ameracauna rooster.

 

[Miks]

I like to put them in the coop with other chickens at night, so they wake up with each other in the morning. That's of course after them seeing each other separately for a couple of weeks, in side by side free ranging. After the first night, they should follow the other chickens into the one coop. None of my flock attack. I have fifteen, with a lot of ameracaunas, two speckled sussex, two wyandottes, one wellsummer, one comet, one australorp, one leghorn, and one ameracauna rooster.

It sounds like you have such a lovely and friendly flock! I’ve been so delighted by the friendly and affectionate personalities of my black sex link girls. Last night after putting the hens up, I let the EEs into the larger side of the run. They quickly found the perch, waterer and food (all are quite different then what they are used to. After a few minutes I walked in and my EEs hopped up on the perch (it’s about waist height) and got as close to me as possible snuggling up and scrambling to be the one that could get closest to me! After I left to fetch supplies to refill their watere and feeders I came back and found them contentedly on the high perch. They hopped down when they saw me. Then after estimating my distance, one attempted to fly into my arms. I half caught her and she fussed then snuggled up under my arm. Her sister, not to be out done, decided she too needed to be held and launched herself into my free arm! The silver is curious about me and a bit shy. But eventually, she will follow the others. The only problem is that I only have 2 arms!
I’m wondering if this level of affection is typical for EEs? One of my BSLs is very affectionate but my EEs are as well. Do you find your large flock to have some very affectionate birds?

 

[Miks]

I’ve decided the holiday weekend will give me some time to spend with them to try to slowly attempt some of the many suggestions all you have posted! I am so grateful for your many responses! When I took the first step last night to see if they liked the larger side, they quickly made themselves comfortable! I consider this step 2! (Step 1 was dividing the coop with netting and giving them several weeks to live side by side. Initially the hens challenged them on the other side of the netting but now they just ignore each other!
Thanks again! You all are my hero’s! I will keep you updated on our progress. I think I’ll try to let them free range today! My older girls run to me when called. Since the EEs flew to me, I’m thinking it will be okay.

 

[Cluckingitup]

Just last night I let out my Plymouth rocks that are about 14 weeks old to free range. (First time chicken owner, so very nervous they will run away) I have two used coops one is 4X8 and the other is maybe 3x3 (guessing) I put my 5 babies in the bigger and the two adults that I inherited in the smaller coop. So last night was the first they were out together and my adult Sussex who loves the hour at night free ranging, got quite agitated that the babies went into her enclosure. She went back in after littles left and stayed there with mouth agape and wings spread for about a 1/2 hour. I want to integrate them also in time. They are in chain link fencing pens so they both see each other all day. I am going to keep letting them out for couple nights then may put a hole in the fencing and see if that works??? I have another chain link dog pen to attach, so I believe that they will have plenty of run space and the 4X8 coop should be big enough for 7 chickens. only my Sussex seems irritated with the littles, the adult barred rock just ignores them. I attached pic, the empty fencing now has the adults in it.

 

[Miks]

Just last night I let out my Plymouth rocks that are about 14 weeks old to free range. (First time chicken owner, so very nervous they will run away) I have two used coops one is 4X8 and the other is maybe 3x3 (guessing) I put my 5 babies in the bigger and the two adults that I inherited in the smaller coop. So last night was the first they were out together and my adult Sussex who loves the hour at night free ranging, got quite agitated that the babies went into her enclosure. She went back in after littles left and stayed there with mouth agape and wings spread for about a 1/2 hour. I want to integrate them also in time. They are in chain link fencing pens so they both see each other all day. I am going to keep letting them out for couple nights then may put a hole in the fencing and see if that works??? I have another chain link dog pen to attach, so I believe that they will have plenty of run space and the 4X8 coop should be big enough for 7 chickens. only my Sussex seems irritated with the littles, the adult barred rock just ignores them. I attached pic, the empty fencing now has the adults in it.

I understand your anxiety about the new ones running off! I see the pen enclosure and it looks like a lot of space! Are the coops attached to the pens? Do they sleep in separate coops at night?

 

[Mrs. K]

@ Clucking it up, you might try flipping the set up, put the older birds where you have the younger birds and vice versa. This would let them see the others in their territory, without much aggression. I think they do better, when the new or younger birds can explore a new area, without being chased. Gives them more confidence. Mix this up a couple of times, so that both groups home on both places and I think it would help.

 

[Cluckingitup]

I understand your anxiety about the new ones running off! I see the pen enclosure and it looks like a lot of space! Are the coops attached to the pens? Do they sleep in separate coops at night?

Each run is separated. The coops are attached to the fencing and they do sleep separately. I had them out together again and there were three little skirmishes but no feathers flying or blood so I guess that's good.

 

[Cluckingitup]

@ Clucking it up, you might try flipping the set up, put the older birds where you have the younger birds and vice versa. This would let them see the others in their territory, without much aggression. I think they do better, when the new or younger birds can explore a new area, without being chased. Gives them more confidence. Mix this up a couple of times, so that both groups home on both places and I think it would help.

I can give this a try. The adults originally came with the bigger coop and I would like to see everyone together if possible. I have another of the smaller fences so I am thinking when all are connected, the run should be big enough for everyone.