Will it be ok to add 2 older hens.....

[mowin]

My buddy who raised my pullets which are now between 7-8 week old, wants to give me 1 possiblity two 1 yr old hens.
Two questions.
1. How do I feed them? Chicks are on starter. I realize the laying hen/s can't eat starter.
2. Will they get along?

Pullets have been in my coop and run for almost 2 weeks. I've got plenty of space for the additional two, but not sure if it's going to work????

 

[danceswithronin]

I would section off part of the run for the newcomers for a few weeks so that the two groups can see each other at eye level but not interact. Separate feeders and watering stations. Feed them together but hold off on keeping them cooped together. Then after a few weeks have passed and they are used to each other, I'd bring the barrier down under observation and see how they act.

 

[Roo5]

Feed all flock.The older birds will most likely take over,escpecially with the birds being so young.The older birds May bully them so watch out for it,by bully I mean pick on till featherless or injured.Make sure the birds have places to run and hide, random roosts throughout the run to jump on and etc.

 

[mowin]

I would section off part of the run for the newcomers for a few weeks so that the two groups can see each other at eye level but not interact. Separate feeders and watering stations. Feed them together but hold off on keeping them cooped together. Then after a few weeks have passed and they are used to each other, I'd bring the barrier down under observation and see how they act.

If that's what I have to do, I'll pass on the hens. The way the coop is laid out, it wouldn't be feasible to separate it.

 

[mowin]

Feed all flock.The older birds will most likely take over,escpecially with the birds being so young.The older birds May bully them so watch out for it,by bully I mean pick on till featherless or injured.Make sure the birds have places to run and hide, random roosts throughout the run to jump on and etc.

Two separate roosts in the coop. The pullets have only used the lower roost.

I've got ladders/roosts and raised platforms in the run.

My buddy suggested clipping the hens top beak.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My buddy suggested clipping the hens top beak.

Please don't clip their beaks, that's a measure taken to stop aggression in battery settings because they're packing birds into cages like sardines.

A spacious coop and run plus a proper integration goes a long way to heading off aggression before it becomes an issue.