Better to add an odd or even number of pullets to a small flock?

[ChixHaven]

I have been reading through many threads about integrating pullets into an existing flock. I understand the needs surrounding space, separation, quarantine, and yet I still have questions based on my own situation.

I currently have 3 RIR's. 2 are dominant hens, 1 is a timid, smaller, and less robust hen who is clearly at the bottom of the pecking order and who gets picked on regularly. It's not clear to me if she is less robust because of the stress of her position in the flock, or if she is picked on because she is smaller and less robust. The hens have an 8x8 run, a 15 sf coop (up off the ground to free up floor space), and 5 ft of perch, tho the timid hen has her own coop (see below.)

We are entering our 3rd year together, this flock and I, and the timid hen is no longer being physically injured, as has been the case in the past. After much trial and error, she has her own separate apartment within the chicken run, with visibility to/from the others from behind a wire partition, with her own feed and water, her own above-ground nest and sleeping box, and when the hens are out of their apartments and are free ranging together, she has learned to run away when bullied instead of "submitting" and getting pecked. So the two plus 1 hens sleep separately, remain separate in the first hour or so of the day when I find the bullying is the worst, and then they are all given access to a free range area outside the run where the timid hen has the space to avoid the others.

I am considering add 2 or 3 pullets to this flock. I would introduce at around 16 weeks or 20 weeks of age, giving them time to grow in size and be closer to laying age. Though I do wonder if I should have my head examined, please hear me out.

I am considering adding an easy going breed like Buff Orpington, for example. I have kept this breed before and boy were they easy going, and my thought is that they 1) are of a similar size to my RIR's, 2) might be less threatening to the RIR dominant hens AND to the timid hen 3) there might be a possibility that they would get along with the timid hen and alleviate some of the social pressure and isolation that she experiences.

I have considered space needs, and am prepared to double the size of the run to 120 sf for 5 or 6 hens, would have space to create a separate apartment for the new pullets, including feed/water, perches, additional sleeping and nesting space for as long as is needed. Partitions can be removed when the integration is complete, though I can maintain apartments as needed for any timid birds that continue to need them.

Aside from the question "Should I just leave things as they are?" I wonder if adding 2 pullets (for a total of 5 hens) or 3 pullets (for a total of 6 hens) makes a difference? I have a chicken keeping friend who has a rule, "Always keep an even number of hens in a small flock so everyone has a friend and no one is left out," and I wonder if there is any validity to this rule? Also, if I introduce 3 BO pullets, then I would have 3 of each breed, eliminating "minorities." Finally, is it likely that new pullets would bond with my timid hen or would they bond with the dominant hens and start picking on the timid hen also, making things worse for her?

What a tangled web. I could use some help thinking this through. Thank you.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The more the merrier if you have the space. With more the aggression will be more spread out. In smaller flocks with smaller set ups there are only one or two targets who are bottom birds. If you add more be prepared if it doesn't work out, especially since you have already seen aggression.

As a side note my bantams are more forgiving about new members, and being crowded, ad well as staying penned up if necessary. So in the future if you ever start over perhaps they would be a better fit for a smaller set up. Rhode Island red tend to be bullies from what I read. They are a vigorous breed that often needs room to roam and land to forage, and don't do well in close confinement.

 

[ChixHaven]

The more the merrier if you have the space. With more the aggression will be more spread out. In smaller flocks with smaller set ups there are only one or two targets who are bottom birds. If you add more be prepared if it doesn't work out, especially since you have already seen aggression.

As a side note my bantams are more forgiving about new members, and being crowded, ad well as staying penned up if necessary. So in the future if you ever start over perhaps they would be a better fit for a smaller set up. Rhode Island red tend to be bullies from what I read. They are a vigorous breed that often needs room to roam and land to forage, and don't do well in close confinement.

Thanks for your reply. Glad to know that more hens might mean distribution of the aggression, which is one of my aims. Yes, I've learned a lot about RIR's in this experience and would not choose this breed again for my smaller set up. And I'm trying to work with what I've got for now.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for your reply. Glad to know that more hens might mean distribution of the aggression, which is one of my aims. Yes, I've learned a lot about RIR's in this experience and would not choose this breed again for my smaller set up. And I'm trying to work with what I've got for now.

You can always try pinless peepers if you see increased aggression in the RIR. Many have used them with good sucess.

Chicken keeping is like that. Always revolving. I'm always learning as I go along. It's what makes it a fun and lasting hobby.

 

[Mrs. K]

There really is no way to say -"THIS is what will happen." I would expect the timid hen to be the meanest to the new birds. They never make friends the way you think they should. She will be pretty determined to be above the new birds in the pecking order.

You probably won't like my idea, but I would re-home the timid bird - she has never really fit in your flock, although the size of the coop was probably the issue. Add 4 pullets. Thing is, the older birds are going on 3+ years. You could easily loose some of those just to ordinary aging.

However, do not add anything until you adjust the coop. While following the 'rule of thumb' for coop space and run space, sometimes (as in your case) that just does not work out. When adding new birds to established birds, more space, and space well set up with hideouts and safety zones are very important.

The remark above about the pin less peepers is a good one, and really helps people with small flocks.

Mrs K

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I've had RIRs for years. Good roos are KEY to a peaceful flock. So is flock size. I try to never have more than 8-9 birds in a coop and each coop has its own run and only one rooster. Plus I have at least 12 inches (preferably 15) roosting space for each bird and 2 feeders and 2 waterers in each coop. 4 sqft per bird on average in the coops and 20-30 sqft per bird in each run. Adequate space is vital for RIRs.

Also I've found that RIRs don't like to be handled, so I don't handle them unless there is an actual reason to. The roos really don't like it when you fuss over their hens either (so I don't) and they stay mellow, feeding the girls tidbits and such, yet keep their hens in line and don't allow spats between them. I do have to pay attention to spur length but otherwise rarely see missing or damaged feathers.

I think at least part of the reason everybody gets along so well is that the birds in each coop all hatched at the same time and I don't usually make any late additions so the pecking order is not disturbed unless we lose someone.

Hope something here is helpful to you!

Rusty

 

[Bawkbok]

I am considering adding an easy going breed like Buff Orpington,

We have 3 BOs; one of them is sort of a bully. The other two are sweet angels, very cooperative and friendly. It's a crap shoot when it comes to individual birds of the same breed. Had I thought it through better, we would have only one individual representative of a breed.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

There really is no way to say -"THIS is what will happen." I would expect the timid hen to be the meanest to the new birds. They never make friends the way you think they should. She will be pretty determined to be above the new birds in the pecking order.

Ahhh I've seen this happen plenty of times also, so this is a good point. I think Mrs. K is smart for suggesting to rehome the low girl on the totem pole, but it could be hard to find a good home for an aging RIR, and you may be hesitant to part with her which is understandable and perfectly acceptable.

If you have the space, it would be good if the young pullets could outnumber the older ladies. My vote is for adding at least 4 pullets (your desired breeds are fine and not the real issue - build the flock that you want & don't worry about the flock that you have) and then slowly begin introducing them at around 6 weeks or older. Let the older ladies view them in a separated pen for several days to weeks, and then give them a few moments together, slowly lengthening that time together until all seems well. There will always be a few *correction checks* (aka pecks) by the older ladies, more so at first, but that's okay and to be expected.

Don't overthink it, just go with your gut. Flock/chick intergrating is fairly simple and easy if you take it slow. If you relax into it and don't try to be a helicopter chicken parent lol, you might be surprised at how quickly the hens will work it out themselves and do well with each other. If not, you'll find a workable solution like pinless peepers, separted pens, rehoming, etc.

 

[Mrs. K]

Everyone adds chicks differently. I like to add mine at 3-4 weeks, they are fast as lightening, and with hideouts and escapes they can disappear into places the big girls can't go. Like under a pallet, 3 inches off the ground.

At night from the get go, I put them into an insulated with ventilation dog crate, and shut the light off, no heat. They huddle together, and are more than able to keep the temperature near 100 degrees even in a pretty cold garage, less than 30 degrees. So they home in on the dog crate and dark.

This makes it very easy to handle them. You can let them out in big space, and they will gather themselves as darkness approaches.

However, I have a 600 square foot run, with a lot of clutter, so and an easy to set up safety zone for the chicks. Space is the key to raising happy chickens.

So, build what you want - then get chicks.

Mrs K