New girls advice please

[Scottishnewbie]

Hi folks, I am collecting 4 new rhode island reds over the next couple of days, think they are about 2 years old. This will be the first time I have introduced new ladies to the existing ones - what is the best way to do it? should i just put them all together and let them figure it out? There are 5 in the exisitng 'herd' and i wondered if the fact that the numbers will be pretty equal might make it easier to just put them all together?

They have quite a bit area to run around in though would all need to share the same house as i only have the one.

many thanks

[Hans Mum]

i'd put them together and watch them closely for an hour or 2, if they start to show signs of agression towards each other i'd split the run into 2 and put the new girls on one side so they can see each other but not connect, then put the newcomers into roost after your original girls have gone in. Hopefully they'll all get on fine and be one big happy family

[davefromthechipie]

Its never easy . I find the best way is to divide the run for a few days ( as Hans said) and let them mix freerange and not in a small area ie the run it seems to work out better that way . once thats done for a day or too you should try putting them into the hen house at night times / GL

[HayleyB]

I'm a believer of throw 'em in and they'll sort it out, as long as there are enough newbies, for a singly or a couple in a big flock then take the split option. The pecking order will establish in just a couple of days

[Scottishnewbie]

I think I might just have to go for HayleyB's "throw 'em in" advice and hope for the best! Can't afford to leave them out as we have foxes going around and I'd hate for any of them to get taken.....will let you know how it goes...wish me luck!

[LostthePlot]

I just throw 'em in and keep an eye on them. There wil be some kind of pecking but that has to happen, it's the vicious attacks that need curtailing. I bring my chucks up 'hard', plus I don't have the resources or space to give everyone palatial treatment.

[Suechooks]

I think I might just have to go for HayleyB's "throw 'em in" advice and hope for the best! Can't afford to leave them out as we have foxes going around and I'd hate for any of them to get taken.....will let you know how it goes...wish me luck!

You really need to quarantine the new ones for a couple of weeks in case of any infection - you don't want them infecting all your others.

[Scottishnewbie]

oh dear, I never thought of that Suechooks! Not sure how i can manage that with one chicken house......and foxes seeing we're in the country!! Any ideas welcomed.................

[Hilary B]

oh dear, I never thought of that Suechooks! Not sure how i can manage that with one chicken house......and foxes seeing we're in the country!! Any ideas welcomed.................

If where they came from is likely to be healthy, odds are any ailments will be minor. If you haven't got anywhere else to put them, that is how it is!
If you CAN divide the run (and if the run is, or can be made, fox-proof), an old tea chest or similar would provide shelter for a few nights while they get used to each other through the dividing fence, then introduce at (or just after) bedtime.
My choice would be similar to Hayley's, but put them in the house after bedtime and let the old girls wake up to find they have company. It won't hurt the new ones to spend a little while in their travelling crate until it gets dark.