[SusieB]

I am to get 4 ex-battery chickens in May.  I would also like to get 4 chickens of other varieties.  What is the easiest way of doing this, please?  Should I get 4 young chicks at the same time as the ex-bats or let the ex-bats settle in first and then get 4 others?  Or would the ex-bats be less stressed and happier if they had the place to themselves and I forget about the other breeds?
I would be greatful for any advice.
Thanks.

[colliebird]

I am to get 4 ex-battery chickens in May.  I would also like to get 4 chickens of other varieties.  What is the easiest way of doing this, please?  Should I get 4 young chicks at the same time as the ex-bats or let the ex-bats settle in first and then get 4 others?  Or would the ex-bats be less stressed and happier if they had the place to themselves and I forget about the other breeds?
I would be greatful for any advice.
Thanks.

The easiest way is getting them all at the same time. By getting 4 hens and 4 hens later will disadvantage the second 4 because the first 4 will have settled into "their" territory" and there could be a bit of squabbling when the next 4 come in 
By getting them altogether, they are being homed on neutral territory to all of them. JMHO
Good luck 

Valerie

[kentishlad]

Hi,
Getting them all at the same time is a good idea generally but look out for any ex-batts that are a bit poorly as they sometimes are, they can need a bit of tlc for a while but then this will be the case whether you get just the ex-batts or not.
Adding 4 to an existing 4 hens is not a big deal but you will get squabbling as Valerie pointed out, we have added to our flock on more than one occasion and things do settle down in the end, honest!
By adding an even number to the existing hens you make the new girls' lives easier, if however you were to add just one new girl on her own she would almost certainly end up being picked on by all the existing ones, not so nice...

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine 

[wadz81]

We got four girls in september then another six girls three weeks ago. Phewee! very hard going and very noisey but it will be fine by Christmas I hope LOL