paulad Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) Hi there Since we lost 2 of our hens we had thought we wouldn't get anymore as it has been a stressful month for us newbies. (only had them a month) But we have decided to get 2 more I think How on earth do you introduce them ?? And is 2 old to 2 new a good ratio ? We don't have access to another hen house so night times they would all need to be in together Thanks in advance Edited July 18, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hi there Glad to see you didnt give up! go girl!! I am by no means an expert but i understand you have to keep them seperate during the day but in ajacent run's then very slowely let them free range together for short, then longer periods then i think once they seem happy you merge the two flocks. If you dont have any alternative sleeping area for them then i guess you cant really do much about that but i would wait till the established group have roosted and are a little sleepy before putting the stangers in:) Get me with the awswers!!! Hope this helps but i am sure someone with infinatly more experience will come along soon and blow what i have said straight out the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Oh and PS i would go for 3 as its a nice managable number and as you know you may lose one and you would quickly be back to square one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 yes - that's what I thought - after reading every post on the forum !!! hahaha just need to know if there are any dos or don'ts !! only having 2 more as no room for 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I have found the side by side seperate runs cause more animosity rather than anything else. I always wait until after bedtime when the established ones are well asleep, then put the new additions in with them to sleep, keep the door shut in the morning a little later than you would, then let them all out together. Touch wood have never had any problems doing it this way. I go by the less fuss the better theory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 In my experience ..two lots of intros . Patience is the key.The first time took 5 weeks and I was panicing but there was peace in the end .The second time was a breeze ,not sure if it was luck or not as it only took two weeks . The girl who does any bullying when you get new girls is usually the one that is bottom of the pecking order of your old girls....she does not want to be bottom any more and feels threatened ...Good luck it will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 I think my hubby will be the one that says stick them all in together and let them get on with it I will be worrying that they are all ok and not being mean to each other !!! thanks for the replies xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Some advice here - in the Frequently asked Questions section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 thank you I will go and look x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
