Adding a chicken to a small flock

[FluffyPolarBear]

Hello!

So I literally have a flock of 2, yeah 2, but I used to have 3 so I want to get one more. I was wondering if anything might go wrong while introducing them, I have 2 golden comets (the tips of their beaks are cut off [we didn't know that when we got them]) and I've never even seen any of them peck each other ever, except for if one is pecking food off of the other ones face of course.

I was just wondering if there is anything I should be worried about or if I'm perfectly fine with my cute little hens who aren't so little. Haha, thanks!
P.S. I will either be getting a bantam or another golden comet.
P.P.S. Should I be worried about diseases spreading to my tiny flock?

 

[0wen]

Yes, quarantine. Biosecurity above all else.

I would introduce her the same way those of us with larger flocks do so. Quarantine - look, don't touch - integrate.
Not everyone does it, and some of them get lucky and don't have disease arrive in their flock. I don't add live birds (I add birds via hatching eggs if I add anything that isn't mine), but would not just toss them in if I ever did...

 

[bobbi-j]

It can be difficult to add just one bird. The two you have are an established flock. They are not going to be all warm and welcoming to another chicken. They are very territorial. The look but don't touch thing can help reduce it, but there is still a chance that there will be drama.

Whether you quarantine is up to you. Is it worth the risk of potentially lose your other two if you bring home one with disease? Do you have the capability to quarantine properly? (Keeping your new chicken about 300' from the others, hopefully downwind from prevailing winds, separate feeder and waterer for her, changing shoes and clothes between coops) If you don't, you're not really quarantining anyway.

 

[FluffyPolarBear]

So if I get some chicks then I won't have to worry about all this quarentine stuff? Because I don't think I could manage all that with my small backyard and dog stomping around everywhere, spreading germs and stuff.... Even if they are someone elses chicks? Won't the hens attack the chick/s, or will they 'adopt' them?

 

[0wen]

They'll probably attack them.

 

[bobbi-j]

So if I get some chicks then I won't have to worry about all this quarentine stuff? Because I don't think I could manage all that with my small backyard and dog stomping around everywhere, spreading germs and stuff.... Even if they are someone elses chicks? Won't the hens attack the chick/s, or will they 'adopt' them?

Adult hens will attack and probably kill baby chicks if you get them unless you can keep them separate until they are big enough to integrate. If it were me, and I only had two chickens, I'd probably take the chance on getting two more adult birds if I had enough room. You are the only one who can decide if it's worth it or not. I'd be careful of where I get them, though. I wouldn't go to a swap. I'd maybe see if there is a local poultry club or 4-H club or something like that and start there. I'd see if I can go to where the chickens are being raised, and thoroughly check out any bird I want to buy. Don't buy anything you feel sorry for. Don't "rescue" any. Look for any signs of drainage, discharge, or external parasites.

Chicks from a hatchery are more likely to be "safe". Just picking them up from someone else could still potentially expose your birds. I have added birds to my flock in the past without problems. Others have not had that experience. It's your call.

 

[aart]

Quote: Good Advice^^^^


Integrating new birds often takes extra space to make things go more smoothly.

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.