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

All those are normal behaviors.
The original hen is attacking the interlopers because they are perceived as a threat to the flock. Either because they will compete for food and water as well as possibly bringing in disease. They try to either run off new birds or kill them.
A good rooster like yours is trying to keep the peace, which I view as one of the benefits of keeping roosters.
Introducing while free ranging is a much better approach.
Imagine if you lived in a tiny house and someone brought two new strangers to live with you. You may not appreciate it.
 
All those are normal behaviors.
The original hen is attacking the interlopers because they are perceived as a threat to the flock. Either because they will compete for food and water as well as possibly bringing in disease. They try to either run off new birds or kill them.
A good rooster like yours is trying to keep the peace, which I view as one of the benefits of keeping roosters.
Introducing while free ranging is a much better approach.
Imagine if you lived in a tiny house and someone brought two new strangers to live with you. You may not appreciate it.
Yeah I don’t blame her a bit, I would not like it either. I introduced them while free ranging and it was bad but not this bad. I hate them being so stressed out. The whole crew isn’t happy. Poor rooster just wants everyone to get along and the og hen just wants them out of her space.
 
Another option is to put the older hen in time out and let the rooster and new hens become friends. The separation would preferably be in housing away from the primary housing. When you return her, she will be lower on the totem pole.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom