[daisy1990]

we have three hens which we bought some months ago as POL.  We have now ordered 4 chicks which will be auto sexed and two weeks old.  They are coming with a heat lamp and I think we know enough about how to look after them until they can go outside (if ever it stops being freezing cold!),  The three hens we have are in a coop designed for seven hens and they all free range in 1/2 acre behind an electric fence.

Any advice on how to introduce the new girls, what to look out for and if we need to buy a coop to separate them at all (seems a waste for short time- but we will do it if we need to)
Thanks Daisy

[joyfull]

As they will not be with a broody hen to protect them I wouldn't try integrating them until they are a decent size and able to hold their own - about 14 weeks.

[rachelr]

When you are ready to integrte try putting them in over night and see how they get on. If your other girls free range it might just be a case of a temporary enclosure during the day. but put them together at night.

All this is easier of course if they are in your garden if they are in the allottment it might be harder.




 

[daisy1990]

they are in our garden- thanks both for your help

[Sassy]

It always helps when integrating chooks to ensure more than one lot of feeders and drinkers are available as that is the main cause of aggression. I have introduced chicks by keeping them in a run within the main run for 2 or 3 weeks before putting them together. That way they ae used to the sight and smells of each other. It worked for me, but no doubt they are all different. As mentioned by another poster the fact they are roaming a large area will definitely help. They will operate as two flocks  :)getting closer and closer together then they will all accept each other.

[daisy1990]

thanks Sassy