Introducing New Hens.

[woodruffsdad]

I used to have ex-battery hens but for the last 2 years I have had just two "posh" Bluebelle hens. They are completely in love with each other and are inseparable. If one wanders out of sight of the other there will be a squawking and a flapping and they will run together like long lost pals!

I have room for 4 more hens and I would like to take some more ex-battery. I am scared that if I introduce 4 more strange hens it will ruin the relationship that exists between my 2 Bluebelles and bullying might take place. What do you think?

My 2 "posh" hens are so attached to each other that I don't want to do anything to spoil it. I have seen hen bullying at first hand and I really don't like it. Any advice would be welcomed.

 

[Marigold]

In my experience, hen friendships, onc formed, last the lifetime of the birds concerned. It's really sweet. They will probably become even more attached to each other when you enlarge your flock. They will consider themselves the top hens and will band together in the face of newcomers. If you intend to introduce 4ex-batts they will have the advantage of numbers, but it would be good to house them separately for several weeks if they arrive in unfit conditions, to give them a chance to pick up and get adapted to their lovely new home. Perhaps you could divide your run with mesh so they can eye each other up through it? Then follow the standard 'after dark' method for finally introducing them when the exbatts are ready.