introducing new hens

I have 6 ex batts in a fenced area of about 200 square metres.  If I was to introduce a new house and another 6 hens in the same area am I going to get fights or will they settle quite happily.

I have integrated three different lots of hens into my garden and agree with 'themagictoad1'. I just kept them separate for a week and placed the feeders either side of the separate fence so they could see each other when they ate.

I have now 11 very contented hens i did have to use purple spray a little but only because they were so bare.

good luck. there is nothing quite like watching ex bats become beautiful hens

Zoopadoopa. I've been keeping hens in a field at the bottom of my garden for many years now and the system I use is much as suggested. The new girls go in a small ark or a wire 6 foot by 4 foot run with a house attached for a week and then I give them the run of about 10 square metres for another week using flexible poultry fencing and then expand that to a further 20 square meters for the final week. These dimensions can of course be changed according to how many new girls you have. The main reason for the run or ark is to keep them reasonably contained so they can be caught if needed and so they learn where is bed. Everyone can see everyone but the new girls get their fair share of food and water and all is good. In the final week any treats or afternoon corn for the main flock is distributed near the poultry fencing and the new girls get their corn and treats near their side of the fencing. After week three the netting is removed and everyone mingles. There can be the occasional firm ticking off go on but nothing that you need to worry about.

Good luck.

OL

It's not only about keeping them apart so they don't fight, it's also quarantining to ensure that your newcomers don't spread any nasty lurghis to your existing flock.