Introducing new hens

[lee9695]

I've had 2 hens for 7 months and we decided to introduce two new ones. One has settled in good still getting a little abuse here n there from the older two but being allowed in the coop at night. The other new one keeps trying escape she was clearing our 6foot fence and causing mayhem she spent her first two nights alone in a bush next door as she escaped and it took us two nights to see where she went. We clipped a wing to stop this but she can still manage it! At dusk instead of joining the other 3 in the coop she keeps trying to go to where she spent her first few nights. We keep making them all share the coop. Anyone had the same issues? Do we just keep on going with what we are doing?

Hello,
I've had different experiences with introducing new hens to our coop. One time I found two of my old hens dead and was really upset .
It does need to be handled carefully.
Someone with more experience than me told me that I should introduce new hens at night so that they wake up in the morning having got used to the new smells through the nighttime.

I would suggest that you catch your escaping hen when she's asleep at night - whereever she decides to roost. Then , put her in a box f the others aren't settled yet. When they are, I'd put her in with the others. Then, I'd get up early in the morning before they've had much time to all be awake together and open up for everyone.

If necessary I'd repeat this a few days / evenings running. Then I think you'd have good results. Please do let me know how you get on. Good luck.