Introducing a new girl to the gang.....

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Poppy7

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I have 3 Seramas who are approximately 16 weeks old. All girls. I bought them all at the same time so they are an established flock with a pecking order. I decided to get a Pekin. I know adding two new birds to a flock is better but there was only be available so I had no choice. She's a lovely girl about 12 weeks old.

I've put her in with my Seramas on Saturday and the dominant female gave her a bit of a hard time as I expected. Nothing too nasty, no blood drawn. Last night the pekin actually snuggled in with them to sleep but today again she's reluctant to join their crowd. I keep them free range but leave the coop and run open during the day but the new girl just chooses to stay inside.

I now have the option of another Pekin girl of about 10-12 weeks old. Should I get her as a frend for the other Pekin or does it sound like the integration is going as well as to be expected?

Any help woud be much appreciated :D
 
Ive just introduced 2 new pekins to a single bird and all going well, so it can be done. However as far as I can see, my lone girl will never be more than housemates with the other 2, so I'd advise you get a friend for your pekin. However, one word of warning, just because you got away with it once, don't presume all will go smoothly this time. The pekins may hate each other, or the new one not be accepted so easily. Only one way to find out, but be prepared for all eventualities.
 
Hi Poppy, and welcome to the Forum.
I think it would be a good idea to get the second Pekin, who is nearly the same age as the other one, but only if you can either divide the run or provide a separate run for the new pair. It would be best also to divide their separate run for a few days so they can see each other through mesh, before they are put in together, in case the new, younger one gets bullied. They don't need a proper coop with perches, a waterproof box will do if the run is secure and safe. This sounds a bit complicated, but is the result of not getting a pair of birds at the same time, I'm afraid. They can then grow on together and they are likely to become good friends. When you finally introduce them to the adults at 18+ weeks they will be able to hold their own. But if you just add a fourth bird to the present three, when the pecking order is still in flux, there will be trouble, especially for the newest one who is little more than a chick and is likely to be badly bullied. Also, at their age, they should really be feeding on growers pellets for several more weeks until they join the adults and can begin eating layers pellets at POL.
 
Sounds like a good plan Poppy. But I would approach it this way. Separate the pekin and add the other to her. They will eventually bond -4 to 6 weeks perhaps. Then leave them alongside the others for two weeks and put them both in one night. You need a separate coop and run obviously (or equivalent as Marigold advises), otherwise as BB says you got away with it once! What will happen is the resident Pekin will take the opportunity to no longer be the bottom pullet and will attack the newcomer, which also gives her the opportunity to demonstrate membership of the flock. The others will follow and a dead newcomer will result. It's much easier when they are all laying as they are somewhat preoccupied with being a proper hen. They should be laying of course to the timescales I prescribe, at least the Seramas will.
 
Thanks for all of the helpful replies.

I must apologise but my Seramas are actually 12-14 weeks old. I got them about 4 weeks ago and back then the breeder estimated them at 8-10 weeks old. So sorry about that! So all of the 4 are currently being fed Fancy Feed Growers Pellets. Is that okay? None of my Seramas are laying yet as they're too young.

With that in mind the Seramas are almost exactly the same age as the Pekin. Should that make the introduction better? I love the idea of getting the second Pekin but I am concerned about space (and my OH's reaction :-)07 ) so would prefer to stay as a foursome...however I want to do what is best.... The coop is really best for 4 birds maximum...I think 5 may cause overcrowding. They do free range my garden in the day but if we go away I prefer to keep them confined to the coop and run if someone else is looking after them.

I almost want to take the Pekin back and simplify the situation agin. The problem is that she is such a sweet, kind and friendly girl that I am loathed to do that! What would be the best thing to do?

Thank you for the welcome Marigold. I must introduce myself at some point. I used to be a frequent member of the Pekin Bantam Forum before it sadly closed. I am not a novice to chicken keeping but I have been out of it for 5+ years now and my memory is a litre rusty!!!
 
Taking the single Pekin back at this stage moves a big problem onto someone else Poppy as she will be bullied wherever being an outsider. Overcrowding causes major problems as well so perhaps the second Pekin isn't really an option. The feed is correct at this stage and I wouldn't switch to layers until the first one does. Have they enough space in the run as it sounds as though the Pekin is being bullied off the feeder and perhaps the drinker as well, which is bad news. Could try an extra feeder and drinker in the run.
 
Thanks Chris. The run is big enough for 4 but they aren't confined to it. They free range my garden during the day and are only locked away for security at night and if we go away, which is rare. I've put out an extra feeder and water station so the new girl is eating and drinking without a problem.

I'm going to go and let them out now.....I'm hoping for a miracle :lol:
 
I hope you got your miracle, Poppy! As they are all quite young, and you are experienced with the ways of chickens, I'm sure whatever you decide will turn out OK. At least .seramas don't exactly take up too much room, do they?
 
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