[lancspoultry]

As mentioned 2 days ago - lost White Sussex & we want to introduce 3 POL birds to existing 3 (all 18 months old) Advise re best egg layers with existing Rhode Island & White Sussex and, most importantly best way of introducing new birds to minimise 'bullying'
Many thanks!

[bantam novice]

Hello Lancspoultry,
I am not an expert but my suggestion would be that you would need to keep the new hens separate from your existing flock for at least two weeks for a quarentine period.  This will mean that your new birds will not pass any nasties on to your existing flock. 
It would help if they can be in sight of each other.
The next step would be to introduce the new birds into the existing flock's coop after dark when they are all semi-comatose.
If you can let them out as early as possible in the morning that would minimise the possible in-coop bullying.
There will always be the establishing of the pecking order and you will still need to keep purple spray handy in case it does get nasty enough to draw blood.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[lancspoultry]

Thanks Bantam novice for advice - we will keep you posted!

John

[bygrace]

Hi - I'm not at the point of introducing new birds yet, but for when the time comes.....

I can separate during the day as I have two runs, but for night time, only one hen house. Any ideas how I can provide a temporary roost for a couple of weeks for 2 birds? Would a double sized cat carrier do, or maybe a large cardboard box with makeshift perches? (It would be in a secure run at night).

Thanks.

[bantam novice]

Hello Bygrace,
So long as the night coop/shelter is weather-proof and fox-proof it does not matter for two weeks.  The cat carrier sounds ideal.  However I am not an expert and you may get some further advice from more experienced chicken keepers on this forum.  Good luck 

[joyfull]

my cat carriers have plastc mesh doors at the front of them which might be too draughty 

[wardy]

Hi, what I did recently after getting two new warrens I put the new girls in the coop and locked them in with food and water,then when it was going dark and the other girls wanted to go to bed I open the door and let them go in,shut the door and all was quiet,I think because it was dark in the coop they couldn't see each other. Next morning let them all out they had a few scuffles which is natural to get the pecking order sorted out. also put more food containers and water in the coop so that the newbees could access it.hope this helps good luck.

[bygrace]

Thanks all - some good ideas I hadn't thought of. How I love this site!
BG