about integrating flocks and quarantining

[PunkinPeep]

I started with 6 buff orps last March.

Through a series of newbie tragedies, i am now down to one beautiful, 23-week-old-going-to-lay-an-egg-any-day hen. The one i have left now sleeps in my bathroom at night (and free ranges during the day) while we wait for my husband to finish building a more suitable, safer chicken coop.

As soon as the coop is finished, a friend of mine is planning to give me two of her pullets to keep my bird company. Hers (a rir and a barred rock) are about 3 weeks younger than mine.

I am imagining that my chicken will be so delighted to have some friends again that there won't be too much integration problem. The coop (once finished...) is huge for 3 birds, and they're all docile breeds.

So my question is just...am i being naive? What do you think i can expect?

Also, in this rare instance .... since i have only one of my chickens left, and the other two are from the same flock, i am thinking that i will forego the quarantine period. Is that stupid? If it is, please explain to me the exact benefit/risk. I know the flock owner and know that her flock is not diseased. And again, i have only one chicken left who desperately needs company asap.

 

[chookchick]

I am sure your pullet will be happy to have new friends, but it will probably take her awhile to realize it. In your case, I would forgo the quarantine, as you are really only risking the one chicken anyway, and you know her flock so well. I would not count on them getting along right away, though. They should be separate but visible to each other for 2-3 weeks before integration. They can keep each other company just by being visible to each other. You can probably free-range them together fairly quickly also. Just be prepared so if they fight enough to draw blood they can be separated (So your not building an emergency coop like I did).

 

[PunkinPeep]

Thanks for the advice.

I will start planning a separation inside the coop.

Also, if you're interested.....i finally found her eggs today. There were seven!

I'm so tickled i can't stand myself.