How best to introduce 2 into a group of 3 hens

[Lucylou]

I'm sure this sort of thing has been covered but looking back can't find anything.

I have a well established group of 3 chooks & I have agreed to adopt 2 elderly hens which would otherwise be 'turned out' to fend for themselves They are the only ones left from a flock that my sis in law used to look after for her kids school (she's not the person going to turn them loose btw!)

One chook is an elderly (very elderly!) silky, hasn't laid for ages, def in retirement, & the other is a lovely faverole, still laying but also 'mature'!
Mine are also older (can't actually remember but about 4yrs) I have been wanting to get some young ones to add but as we're moving next year decided to wait till then.

So my question is- can someone advise on the best way to introduce these 2 old girls to my 3 old girls? I couldn't let these poor homeless ones be released to a certain grim death. My hen house & large enclosed run is plenty big enough it was built for 7. It would be Christmas week so I'll be at home. At the moment 1 of mine ( a campine) is definitely at the bottom of the hierarchy with the other 2 being fairly even.

 

[chrismahon]

Mature birds tend to be rather more laid back in my experience Lucylou (same name as our favourite Cream Legbar). Instead of confrontation they will scuffle and walk away given enough room. There are exceptions though.

Usual applies. Alongside in a separate run and coop for two weeks after already having had two weeks quarantine. The short introduction is into the coop at night with a quick spray of lavender on all birds. May get a major squabble in the morning with that method and have to pull them out, so be prepared. May get a squabble with the long method but far less likely (unless they were TNN's because they try to kill each other after any period!)

 

[Marigold]

If you don't have a second coop and run, another way to do it is to divide your run with some netting or wire, so they can see each other through the netting but can't get to each other. Create a dry, safe box for the two new ones to sleep in, it doesn't have to have a perch as its only temporary. Leave the two groups alongside each other for a week or so, to get to know each other and so the newbies have a chance to settle in a bit and relax. Then, as Chris suggests, in the coop together one night, after they've gone to sleep, with something smelly on all of them - lavender is nice but vinegar is equally effective. Next day, remove the barrier and provide extra feeding and water points, then let them out and watch to see what happens. They're not usually so aggressive in winter as it's not the breeding season so they don't feel so territorial. There may be some scrapping but try not to intervene unless anyone is getting badly bullied to the point of bloodshed.
What lucky girls! What could be a nicer Christmas present, than living in a super-kind home like yours!

 

[Lucylou]

Thanks both of you, I have heard the theory of introductions but never had to do it! My run is large enough to divide & I have a small coop that we made as a quarantine house some years ago (had to separate a cock that was being set upon!) which will be ideal. I think they will give me the food & drink containers along with the chooks so that'll be the 2nd set. Fingers crossed the old silky takes to the move & mine don't knock seven bells out of her, the faverole is big enough to take care of herself!