Would introducing one new chicken be a good idea?

[JNorth]

We currently have 8 RSL's, that are almost 19 weeks old. They are thriving and so far we have 2 for sure, maybe 3 that are laying. My daughter, who is 7, is really starting to get into the chickens now that they are laying. If fact she was an avid egg hater until she ate an egg from her very own chickens. Now she loves them. She says they tasted better than the ones from the store.

Anyway, she was looking at all the breeds and saw the Easter Eggers. She really wants one and I have a friend who can get me one in just a few weeks. Right now our flock is very mild tempered. We have one that is loud but not doesn't dominate anyone. I've never seen any picking on each other or pecking, there is no fighting over food or treats and there is no shoving for position on the roost. From what I can see, no one chicken has claimed the top position. So would I be able to integrate this new chicken? Or is it not a good idea? I don't know the age of the chicken and my only clue is that it is not laying yet but should be soon. I will get more details if we decide for sure to take this on.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

It is always easier to add two new ones to a flock so the new one isn't the only one bullied.

An alternative is to remove one of the hens (the most docile one, preferably) and place her with the new hen in a separate pen for a week or two. Then when the new hen joins the flock, she has a friend hopefully.

Things may work out fine if you just add the new hen (also keep in mind that it is always a good idea to quarantine for at least 30 days but that there are also diseases that result in an asymptomatic carrier status so they pass quarantine). Also check for mites/lice and worms (also sneezing, runny nose or draining eyes, etc.)

I have had Easter Eggers and Golden Sex Links in a pen together, and I sold the Golden Sex Links because they stopped allowing the EEs to eat! (I found they were aggressive to my other breeds that I was introducing).

But chickens are individuals. I would try it (but keep in mind you might need a dog crate or something to pull out a hen or two if they look like they will kill each other).

Some pecking will be normal. If they look like they are going to kill each other and don't back down, pulling feathers out with no end in sight, and the victim not fighting back, blood may be drawn and it would be time to separate them. I like to sit out there for a couple of hours after an integration to see if they are really ok.

If you give them time to see the new hen through a fence for a week or two, that is even better. But not everyone has separate pen facilities.

 

[JNorth]

Thank you for all the info.... lots to think about. While I am super excited that my daughter has become very involved in the chickens and I am so worried that I am going to throw off the balance we have right now. I read about so many people having a hard time with dominance within their flock and my girls just seem so laid back. Not only that, but right now everyone is healthy and thriving. I'm just nervous to jeopardize that. I just don't know what to do at this point...