New chickens

[Merry]

I`m not an expert but I wouldn`t think that four new birds would be too many. You obviously have enough space.
I`d be interested in the view of the more knowledgable ones among us because I`m in a similar situation - down to two layers and looking to integrate a small new flock.

[red]

i think you will be fine - you might want to introduce the new ones into the house at night

there will be some fighting and your old girls might come off worse, but they should sort it out in the end, and all be fine, just be painful to watch at first. I imagine you will find the oldies always hang out together tut tutting at the yoof :)

I'd go for it.

[Millymollymandy]

Susie I think you are in an ideal situation because 2 oldies against 4 newbies really evens it out nicely - the oldies will be the ones in charge pecking the newbies but they won't find it so easy to pick on them being well outnumbered. It's when you introduce fewer newbies to more oldies that problems can arise.

The do adapt in no time (though most of the pecking seems to happen more on the perch at nighttime as the newbies can't get away) and I don't think the oldies get stressed about it, I think they enjoy it (little horrors!).

I've quite enjoyed watching my once pecked nervous newbies turning to oldies and in turn being mean to the new newbies! It's just all part of having chickens.

[Odsox]

I agree with MMM, it's not the old ones that will suffer, it's the young ones that will need to find their place in the pecking order, and that will be last, next to last. next to next to last, and so on.
Just keep an ear out for squawks that go on for too long, but if they are free range the young 'uns will keep to themselves and only run the gauntlet at feed time and bed time.
Two weeks and they will be one happy(ish) family.

[JulieSherris]

I agree with Red - when you put the new girls in, try to wait until the hens have roosted then pop the new ones in. Once they've had a night's sleep & wake up in the morning, the old girls might think that they've been there forever! (In theory )

I think all mine are used to me bringing home new feathery things, they don't even bother checking the newbies out anymore!

[Millymollymandy]

Six , well don't you come complaining to us that you've got too many eggs and don't know what to do with them!

[Millymollymandy]

Blimey they cost a hell of a lot more than that here in France!!!