When can I add my two new hens with my originals?

[shannon84]

When can I add them? They are in a temporary coop close to them.i just don’t want to get anyone sick or injured . I got two new young hens (about a year old) my rooster and old hen are the originals, she is a bossy loud dominant older gal and he is about a year old buff Cochin rooster. These new hens are amberlinks. Not very big. Should I worry about him hurting them during mating? He is light as a feather, because he is mostly feathers! My New Hampshire red hen weighs more than he does. He is very gentle and hardly ever mates. Just a big goofy scaredy cat.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have them next to each other, they are sharing the same air space, so the disease deal is a moot point.

A trick that I think helps, is either let the old pair out or switch them and put the old pair in the temporary set up, and the new birds in the main coop/run. This allows the new birds to explore the set up at their own pace with out being chased or harassed. You can do this for a couple of days if you want.

Then close to dark, let them all be together. Do set up multiple feed bowls, and some hideouts.

Mrs K

 

[pennyJo1960]

If your not worried take the chance I agree yes give extra options for food and water

 

[aart]

They are in a temporary coop close to them.

How long have they been there?
Do your birds free range?

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[shannon84]

How long have they been there?
Do your birds free range?

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Thanks for the great tips I’ll definitely use some branches

 

[shannon84]

Ok guys it’s major chicken drama adding them two my (original Hen) that’s dominate is chasing the new hens spuring then pulling their feathers chasing them around, my rooster who is typically sweet is attacking the dominant hen like he is getting onto her for being mean! Is this normal? He acts like his nerves are shot and my dominant hen is so upset wanting out of the pen. Is this normal? I’m so stressed out.

 

[aart]

my rooster who is typically sweet is attacking the dominant hen like he is getting onto her for being mean! Is this normal?

Sounds like he's trying to intervene and make peace.

Still wondering this....

How long have they been there?
Do your birds free range?

 

[shannon84]

Sounds like he's trying to intervene and make peace.

Still wondering this....

He desperately wants peace I can tell. They don’t free range, I let them out occasionally. The dominant hen has been here 4 years and the rooster since spring. He hardly has spurs he is still young but he is a huge buff Cochin. He has nubs. My og hen has longer spurs. He is trying to make her behave and she’s not liking it at all.

 

[shannon84]

Will this pass after a few weeks? They act nuts, and on top of it all they are all molting now expect one hen.

 

[shannon84]