Introducing one hen to the flock

[Polish Hen House]

Ok so here’s the deal. I got two chickens and one ended up being a Roo so I had to relocate him to another home. Later I got 4 chicks and raised them. Currently I have two Coops and I want to intro my adult hen to my 15 week old hens. My 15 week old hens are not fully grown yet. Two are Polish bantams, one is a Jersey Giant and the last one is a Maran. Should I introduce them now or wait till my little ones grow up? Any suggestion or tips would be appreciated.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Put them in a part of the coop where the others can see but not touch best method if you have a dog crate big enough put them in during the day for about 4 or 5 days

 

[Polish Hen House]

Put them in a part of the coop where the others can see but not touch best method if you have a dog crate big enough put them in during the day for about 4 or 5 days

Thank you

 

[pennyJo1960]

that is the easiest less chance of loss of blood

 

[aart]

15 weeks are pretty big birds...tho not mature let alone fully grown.
What do your coops look like(Pics Please)...and are they nest to each other?
Do you free range?

Here's some tips on....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Polish Hen House]

15 weeks are pretty big birds...tho not mature let alone fully grown.
What do your coops look like(Pics Please)...and are they nest to each other?
Do you free range?

Here's some tips on....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

My birds are free range, but the one I want to introduce is not. Here is a picture of my coop.

It is pretty big.

 

[aart]

It is pretty big.

Umm, get out your tape measure......looks to be less than 3' x 3', not including the nests.
Pic of inside showing roosts, please?

 

[Birdsong 82]

Put them in a part of the coop where the others can see but not touch best method if you have a dog crate big enough put them in during the day for about 4 or 5 days

That’s how I work introduction. Having them being able to see each other but not touch till they get used to each other. That way nobody gets injured. Have you measured the size of your coop

 

[pennyJo1960]

Umm, get out your tape measure......looks to be less than 3' x 3', not including the nests.
Pic of inside showing roosts, please?

gosh now I have seen it very small 3 bird would be big load

 

[Polish Hen House]

Umm, get out your tape measure......looks to be less than 3' x 3', not including the nests.
Pic of inside showing roosts, please?

My coop is 5 x 5 x 6( without nesting boxes) I will only or using one side of the nesting box areas because I can but 3 normal sized nesting boxes in one. The other side will be open so the chickens have an extra 2 x 5 space to walk in. Also the run is not pictured in the last picture. And they are free range so they are just in the coop at night. Here is in inside of the coop. P.s. two of my hens are bantams