New hens to coop

[RevealTheHiddenBeach]

So after moving house we got 4 chickens (this is our second time owning). Purchased pol (ish) bantams in April.

Two of the buggers have crowed, so we are going to need to replace with a pair of hens (the place doing the selling is another story).

Basically is the original flock new enough (and with 50% removed) that we can put two new birds in together, or will we need to do full scale introductions? There has been no pecking order established yet and very little fuss.

[cloudtree]

There will be a pecking order, its just established so you don't notice it. I would have them in separate coops side by side until they get used to each other and then after a few weeks let them in the same space but not an enclosed area (ideally when they free range so that the pecked ones can escape). If you absolutely must introduce them straight in do it at night time when they're roosting - but be prepared for lots of nastiness.
We have kept chickens for years and a couple of months ago bought 4 new hens (all from same place), the very next day we then brought in two more from the same place but which had been kept in a different run (side by side) and we still had all sorts of problems putting those six in together.

[Onedaylikethi5]

Alternatively put the new girls in when the existing flock is already in the best box for the night, shut them in, usually it's pretty much sorted by morning. We just added three girls to one remaining hybrid lady. It's taken time but they order is now sorted and all is well.

[RevealTheHiddenBeach]

Thank for the speedy responses! We have a cat box and some wire fence we can use for introductions and temporary side by side living if there are explosions. They will all be from the same place and they do mixed raising... I don't know if that would help or hinder!

[cloudtree]

If they've actually been living in the same pen they should be fine. the order will have been established long ago.