[viettaclark]

.....we're horizontal!!!
No, really.....just wanted to report on my new hens and how I did the integration.
Basically got 2 new ones yesterday that are 6 months and popped them in the small coop for the day. They both laid. The other birds freerange and had a good nose about and the odd peck at the wire but didn't seem too bothered.
Put the new ones in the main coop after dark and let them all out quite late this morning. They were burbling away gently in the coop. The older ones started going for them in the run so let them all out to freerange. The occasional skirmish but nothing like the blood letting when I got the last two.
The new girls laid in the main coop ok (thought they might get confused) and they've all gone in together tonight with the new ones last in. A lovely little flock!
Now....are we all laid back because I recently introduced the other two and they're used to it or is it because I bought twins for the two old girls and they have an affinity? The old ones are definitely unruffled and the more recent pair are the ones being aggressive. Trying to hang on to their pecking order position whereas the old ones don't care.....?
Whatever, I'm awash with eggs because the two oldest girls who haven't been laying at all (reason for new ones) both laid, the new ones laid and of the nearly new ones, one laid and one's STILL broody.
So 5 eggs from 6 girls and everybody seems to have slotted into the pecking order in 24 hours with very little fuss and we're all very happy. Especially the broody who has lots of eggs to sit on!!
Sigh of relief....

[compostqueen]

Good! That sounds tickety-boo. Just what you need    It can be such a carry on can't it, and it's good to hear that sometimes it goes well and the new girls just click with the old 

[3littlehens]

I had a similar experience last week when I took back a hen that had turned into a cockerel and swapped him for a welsummer and bought a buff orpington.  The first night they were all in the coop together and freeranging around the garden the next day.  No drop in egg production from our existing hens and the Welsummer has given us an egg each day.  The Buff Orpington hasn't started laying yet.

I think having plenty of space helps - they are not fighting for food or territory.  I did notice they were all quite separate for the first few days but now they have definitely formed a group and with the odd peck order is established - I was concerned it was going to be very difficult but I resisted the temptation to intervene too much and it seems to have worked!

Good luck !

[viettaclark]

I don't usually let mine out to freerange until lunchtime to make sure they eat pellets in the morning. There has been some heavy fighting with the new girls being chased up into the coop and not allowed to eat. I've solved that by letting them out straight away. The run was fine for 4 but a bit tight for 6 and that lack of space and boredom induces the aggression. I think me hanging about doesn't help!!
They freerange in two groups with the odd chase and peck but they all go to bed fine together at dusk with the older ones in the coop "allowing" the new ones in when they feel it's right!!.
Egg laying today was a bit frenetic. My Speckledy is broody (about 5 weeks now) and although I should have dunked her I didn't. Before I got the new girls I shut off the pop hole after they'd laid and deposited her outside. With the new girls, the egg laying is more spread out and she won't budge from that nest so there's only one spare box.
What a noise all morning!!
With a bit of help (chucking out the broody) they managed 4 eggs although one was soft and broke (old girl again)
Still no major probs (touch wood!)
I think the next thing will be losing one of the older ones who is definitely slowing up.