Help intergrating my old and new hens

Hi im not sure how to intergrate my new and old hens, I have pened them off from each other at the moment ad they keep having little spats through the mesh, so how do I go about finally mixing them how long do I wait ect...

Hi Lakisha
Firstly how many original do you have and how many newbies have you got? We have got 2 oldies (1year old) and we trying to intergrate 2 newbies (15 weeksold) Let me tell you first of all it is a very slow and patient processs. Ours are meshed down the side of our run, the oldies have the main hen house and the newbies have a temp hen house. They all see and smell each other but cannot touch. We put them altogehter on friday and it was all hell let loose, the oldies really beat the little lovelys up . It was so upsetting to see. Everyone i have spoken to have said that this always happens, sometimes it can be more severe than others. Anyway we have had to segregate them again as the newbies were getting a real pecking  . We are going to wait now until easter and see what happens then, as the newbies will be really strong then.

There are few things you can do one spray them all with vinegar so they all smell the same, (we did this and it didint work)another you can buy anti pecking spray (which i have just ordered) a third keep them segregated for as long as you can and keep popping them altogehter. You will need to be very patient, and also make sure the new ones dont get any cuts as the old girls will go even crazier for the blood. If any get any cuts remove them and keep the wound clean. There will be lots of feathers, just be prepared as i wasnt, and it has been awful.
Hope all goes well for you good luck!

HENrietta

Aaahh it really upsets me to see them fight. I would really keep them segregatted for as long as you can. Make sure you give all of them the same treats as hens can get jealous, you will also notice that your older girls will be very vocal, almost like they are telling you and them off. I keep really shouting at my two girls (gloria and Gladis) and then really cooing over the newbies (martha and flora). God knows what the neighbours must think. Keep at it though honey, as so will i. Good luck.

HENrietta