Hi
I was wondering what the experts advice would be.
We have had 4 brown hens now for a year and a bit, they're probably between a year and a half to two years old. They are well settled in and we have never really had any major problems.
This year we decide to get another 2 and after looking about got in touch with a breeder just along the road and arranged to get 2 marans from him when they where ready.
We picked up our 2 new chooks on Sunday evening, they are 16-18 weeks old. The breeder advised us to put them in the coop when it was dark, after all the chooks had went in to roost. The following morning when we opened the pop hole and they all came out the older hen were not amused at having to share their run with 2 new birds. The younger ones cant move without getting chased, havnt seen anything too physical, but the young un's are very nervous. They just find a corner and dont move, as if they're petrified.
When I come in from work I let the older 4 into the garden, and the 2 younger ones (still in the run) will then eat from the feeder, drink and peck about a bit.
We're starting to wonder if the 2 new birds are too young to be put into an established flock. They dont even cluck yet, still chirping like chicks.
The breeder said it wouldnt make much difference whether we took them now or in 8 weeks when they would be at POL. He said we would have to cross the bridge either now or then, and could have the same problems whenever we introduced the new birds.
Have we taken them too early? Should we maybe seperate them for a while, or would that just be delaying the problems?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated!