Well a friend of mine's sister let her teenage daughters buy a few chicks last spring from Rural King, which means they are probably from Cackle Hatchery. They are 2 buff orps, a pullet & a cockerel that is about 10 months old or so. One of the daughters called me frantically today, b/c she has to get rid of them and the only other person that wanted them actually said she would put the roo into stew and keep the hen until it stopped laying. The poor girl was so upset, so I told her I would take them for her. She was so relieved.
Ok, get this.....these are practically house chickens. I crack up everytime my friend tells me stories about her sister's chickens. She lets them free range during they day, but she worried about them at night so they come into the house and sleep in seperate cages. I think they are in & out of the house all day when someone is home. She says they peck on the door w/ their beak like they are knocking when they want to come inside.
So I have to get some type of shelter together for them quickly. How long do I quarantine them away from my flock? During the day they can go in the chicken tractor for safety, b/c we have to many predators and I don't want them free ranging near my flock's run. I want to keep them seperate until I know they are ok.
I'm worried about them adjusting. How can I make the transition run smooth for them?
Thanks,
Kim
Ok, get this.....these are practically house chickens. I crack up everytime my friend tells me stories about her sister's chickens. She lets them free range during they day, but she worried about them at night so they come into the house and sleep in seperate cages. I think they are in & out of the house all day when someone is home. She says they peck on the door w/ their beak like they are knocking when they want to come inside.
So I have to get some type of shelter together for them quickly. How long do I quarantine them away from my flock? During the day they can go in the chicken tractor for safety, b/c we have to many predators and I don't want them free ranging near my flock's run. I want to keep them seperate until I know they are ok.
I'm worried about them adjusting. How can I make the transition run smooth for them?
Thanks,
Kim