Joining the flock

Having reached the grand old age of 12 weeks, our latest four Scots Grey hens are ready to join the main flock in the big hen house.

I’ve written before about how we introduce new birds to the flock, so I won’t repeat myself but I have taken a photo that illustrates what we do.

The new birds have their brooder house and run placed in the middle of the main run for several days.

They are fed at the same time as the existing birds and everyone gets to know each other.

Then, waiting until after dark, the Other Half and I remove the sleeping new birds from their house and place them on the perches in the big hen house, ensuring they are up against or close to the “boss girls”.

There’s still some pecking for a day or two, but the new order gets established easily and without major squabbles.