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Adding a couple of new ladies....

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by tallyho, Sep 16, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Sep 16, 2010 #1
    tallyho

    tallyho Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Aug 24, 2010
    We might be getting a couple of new girls and I'd like to know how long I should quarantine them before introducing them to the flock. Wash hands, change shoes,...?

    Is there anything I should look for before bringing them home?

    I don't want to bring home any diseases or bugs.

    Thanks.
     
  3. Sep 16, 2010 #2
    Dixiedoodle

    Dixiedoodle Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 14, 2007
    I am a newbie (only had chickens for a yr.) but am now adding 2 (4month old ) new girls to my flock of 5 (1.5yr old). I left the new girls in their own coop for 35days. During this time, I dusted them and ck'd their legs, eyes, skin, vents and listened very closely to their breathing everyday. I change their feed slowly from what the breeder was feeding to what I feed. I added electrolytes to their water for several weeks... Then on the 35th day, I moved them into the main coop but in their own section, where they stayed during the day and at night they went into a cage inside the coop. After a week, I let them out to free range w/ the big girls (who the little girls are scared to death of)! It's been two weeks and I still don't feel comfy leaving them together 24/7--maybe tomorrow....

    Speckled Hen has a great article about this..do a search...
    Good luck !
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2010

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