Adding 2-3 month ols to current flock of 5 hens

[margaretbird]

I plan to integrate newbies to current flock. The hens are 3 years old, 2 Jersey Giants, one Buff Orp and two Wyandotts. The run is a large one. Newbies(2-3 months old) are Polish (3), a Mille Fleur and one Sultan, all hand raised. I know that I need to separate them inside the run with fencing, no problem. What do I need to provide at NIGHT for the newbies until I have introduced them to older girls and the roosts (playhouse in the run)? Should I be worried about the variety of breeds?

 

[Howlet]

u can mix breeds. for at night, id bring them inside...???? XD im gonna have 2 do this next spring when my silkies come XD

 

[cafarmgirl]

A wire dog crate is good for in the coop at night. This lets the other birds get used to seeing them in there but they aren't able to get at them. Integrating new birds into small flocks is very often a challenge at best, if any of the new birds look different, like a Polish, it can make it harder. Just don't rush it. Wait until the youngsters are a good 12 to 15 weeks old and give them a few weeks of being in the run separated by a fence. A lot of pecking order scuffles can be worked out through a fence and gives everybody time to settle down. When it's time to integrate, If you let them out to free range at all this is a good time to also let the youngsters out. Plenty of room to get away.

 

[margaretbird]

don't they need some sort of roost?

 

[cafarmgirl]

They'll get by until they are integrated with the flock. The main object at this point is to protect them from getting the snot beat out of them, or worse, by the older birds.