Over time, you will need to add birds to your flock.
While, at first blush, it might seem simple to just add the birds.
It's not.
A breeder said it's a lot like trying to merge two restaurants when one is Italian, the other Chinese.
I guarantee there will be stress for you and for the birds.
Many poultry owners when ready to expand or replenish their chicken flock take certain precautions while importing birds purchased from the outside.
Adding new breeds in to your peaceful and comfortable neighborhood of chickens can generate quite a rumble between the old and the new.
Others will take their time and wait around for hens to hatch their eggs.
But, that method calls for a great deal of patience since chicks won't lay for weeks.
Lots of folks aren't real comfortable with strangers and chickens are no different.
Chickens are territorial so when you introduce the new guys you will trigger turf wars.
The new birds will try to claim some territory and the older birds will try to defend their area.
This situation only lasts a few days and it is very manageable.
You do need, however, to create certain adjustments making all the birds happy and without stress.
There are several peace-making strategies to help both parties adjust with each other.
It's great when new and old birds exist in one space without having to stop them from pecking one another.
One very good strategy is to let them see each other without having any kind of physical contact.
How? If you have a run (which is basically connected to the hen house), you might put your old chickens there and then put a border (chicken wire) between the run and the coop.
Put your new chickens inside the coop.
This way, they are able to see each other minus the harm.
Be sure that both parties have access to sufficient food and water.
You can do this for about a week.
When the week has passed, you can now "join" them in one area.
Transfer the newcomers to the resident flock's territory during the night when all the birds are sleeping.
Upon waking up, the old chickens will notice the new ones and they may try to start a fight but will not be on their best game because they are too groggy to start much.
This strategy doesn't always prove effective but it's worth trying.
Another idea is to use distraction to your advantage, after all, you are smarter than a chicken! Here are some ideas that work: • Chickens love cabbage.
So hang a whole cabbage head just above the birds (just within reach).
The chickens will attack until it is gone.
During the excitement, the hens will likely be too worn out by jumping for the cabbage to do much and they will be so distracted they won't even notice the new hens.
• Create a challenging new obstacle in the yard.
One way is by adding large branches inside the run.
The excitement of something new will take their minds off the new birds.
• Expand their free area.
Let them run around at a wider and freer range.
The oldies will be so thrilled to dig for grubs and insects they wouldn't even notice that there are newcomers roaming around.
Nonetheless, I promise things will calm down and your hens will get on about the business of laying your eggs.