[snow white]

At the end of Oct, my two chooks will be moving on to my allotment. 
I would like to add two more to my flock for more eggs.  Do I do it now and integrate them slowly OR should I just move them all in together when they move to fresh pastures.  Comments please, or experiences...

[darkbrowneggs]

I would put them all into the new pen together, then no-one has rights of possession, which should help them bond as they will all be newcomers together.

It might be worth worming your own girls before the move, then they will all be on fresh ground as well

[Sassy]

It may be worth, if there are a few skirmishes, putting some extra feeding and watering stations out. This can often sort or ease things

[snow white]

It may be worth, if there are a few skirmishes, putting some extra feeding and watering stations out. This can often sort or ease things

Good idea.

[andy46]

I bought two girls yesterday and put them in with my thelma and louise straight away (was told to by a farmer friend) i also put out some more feeders/drinkers and whithin a couple of hours they where running around all together.There has been a bit pecking but nothing bad just doing the pecking order.today everything has been fine

[Sassy]

It is usually better to add them in the evening, directly into the hen hut, once they have gone to bed and settled down.  This means by morning they have got used to the new smells etc. It is not foolproof but can go a very long way to keeping things calm.

It is also best to keep new chooks separate for 2 or 3 weeks just to ensure they are not going to introduce anything nasty to your existing flock.

[Pig Cat]

I totally agree about spreading food and water about the run for new arrivals. My old guard were not keen on sharing the food with the new hens recently. By scattering pellets all over and putting a couple of small buckets out with water in there was enough for all of them. I am now considering when to stop this and buy a proper hen feeder that they can all share. I need recommendations so I'll start a new thread...