aaah! confused! I want it all.

[herefordlovinglady]

First off, still kind of new to all this

I have gone and totally confused myself. Here is what is going on.

I have a new coop. I have three wild hens (about a year old) and two wild roos (one is about two years old and the other is about 6 months old), they have currently taken up residence in the garage. I want baby chicks, but I also want some egg layers before spring. I need to get the current group into the coop (think I have that one handled). I want to put the brooder in the coop as well, plus I need to be sure the new hens I get know where the coop is and get along with the rest of the bunch.

Okay here is my plan.

1. Get the hens and roos into the coop (catch them while they are roosting and shut them in the coop for about a week.)
2. When the week is up, I want to get about 4 more hens that are old enough to be laying or soon to be laying—introduce them to the currently flock. Hopefully the current flock will show them the ropes of the coop.
3. Soon after they are all settled Get my baby chicks, set the brooder up in the coop and as they grow they will be introduced in the two existing flocks
I hope to have about 15 hens total and the two roos.

Any suggestions on making this plan work, what not to do, or what to do.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Daidohead]

Might it not be easier to introduce all of the adult birds to the new coop at the same time ? That way the pecking order would be settled with all interested parties there from the get-go. Might make for an easier, shorter transition.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

haven't thought of that, good idea -- thank you.

 

[Chicken Boo]

New flock members need a 4-week quarantine before they join the existing flock. Have you a place for your new purchases to live away from the new coop?

 

[chookchick]

Honestly I think you are taking on a bit too much at once. Integration is not easy and as Chicken Boo says--you need to think about quarantine, so you are talking multiple coops, plus a brooder, and baby coop, etc...Otherwise you are going to have problems with pecking, cannibalism and diseases.

Please slow down and take one step at a time! Get the "wild" birds settled in. Then later this spring, try raising a few chicks, if you like. WHEN they are full grow--integrate with the others. I personally would not introduce adult hens to this mix due to diseases. Raising chicks is fun, and you can always get more next year.

 

[cobrien]

I agree with Chookchick. Integrating can be a emotionally and physically tiring for you and the chickens. There is often fighting and blood involved, it can take months to get them integrated. Take the quarantine recommendation seriously. I would keep chicks separate from older chickens until their immune systems are stronger - 3-4 months or so, and get chicks and hens that are vaccinated for marek's disease. The longer I keep chickens, the more diseases, parasites, etc. I learn about, the more I dread adding new members to the flock. Sorry if I sound like a downer! Just want to help you have the best experience possible.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

Okay, taking a deep breath and slowing way down. Thanks so much. I get so excited and want to do it all -- what would i do without BYC to put things back in order.

 

[Keri78]

I would do one of two things:....either get babies...or get hens...if you choose babies then I would order your babies now and get them going(actually if you order now they could start laying by summertime so you would be able to just forego the "adding more layers hens idea" and just wait it out with the babies a couple extra months??? Now, the brooder will need to be kept inside b/c of the cold weather and they won't be ready to be introduced to the existing flock until at least springtime anyway but even then you may have to build a temporary coop so they can be safe from the others until they get big enough to defend themselves. I had my Hubby build me a "chicken tractor" that we keep our young ones in until they are big enough to run with the rest of the flock. If not they get bullied beyond belief(the big ones won't let them go in to roost at night...just plain mean to the babies!) I personally would leave your "wild ones" alone! If they are happy and healthy why mess???


Now for my second option....just to add to your confusion(I'm good at confusion!!!LOL) why not buy mature hens in the same breeds that you want to have new chicks and just let the mamas hatch out their own babies this spring...this way you will have your eggs and your new babies and you already have roos to get the job done for ya!!! This way the Mamas can raise the babies, protect them, integrate them into the flock...etc etc...WAHLAH!!! All your problems solved!!! If the breeds you want aren't broody then just buy a silky hen or two and let her hatch out your fertile eggs!

If you run into problems with Mama and the babies you could always build a temp. little coop for them to raise their babies in and they will do all of the work for ya! Ok...thanks for getting me thinking this morning!!!(LOL) OK...back to my laundry(LOL)!!!

Blessings, Keri

Oh..here's pics of my chickie tractors (like $50 tops in materials!)

 

[herefordlovinglady]

Thanks Keri, that's very good advice. i like the idea of getting the babies, I want to raise them so bad -- All I want are eggs to eat and pets to play with.