Adding chickens to my flock! Help!!

[Pathfinders]

Yes, that's what we're discussing. They only test (by taking blood from a vein in the underside of the wing) for Pullorum and Typhoid. These are only two of the very many diseases chickens can be carrying, without showing any symptoms.

You should definitely quarantine any chicken that you bring home, no matter from whom or where you purchase it. Always.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with Pathfinders that all birds should be quarantined for at least a month. Whenever I introduce new birds or chicks I put them in a large pen like this one (with bird netting over the top) or fence off half of the coop for at least a week. Then they know where home is to come in at night, and the different groups have become familiar. Then I open the gate and they will start the new pecking order. This setup is good for chicks also--just reverse the top half to keep them in, and use it this way to let them back in for protection.

 

[Pathfinders]

Personally, I wouldn't even quarantine new birds in the same building as an existing flock. I keep them separate, and chore them last. That way nothing can be passed back and forth.

 

[Eggcessive]

Personally, I wouldn't even quarantine new birds in the same building as an existing flock. I keep them separate, and chore them last. That way nothing can be passed back and forth.

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that I quarantine in the same coop--I was just showing how I finally introduce them. I agree with isolating them as far away as possible.

 

[Pathfinders]

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that I quarantine in the same coop--I was just showing how I finally introduce them. I agree with isolating them as far away as possible.

Ahhh, I get it. I like that set up for introductions. That way they get used to each other before actually being together. It must cut the fighting down to almost nil.

 

[Pathfinders]

We are heading over the the local 4H Poultry auction tomorrow and are hoping to buy 2-3 more chickens to add to our flock. We currently have 4 hens and 1 rooster. I've been reading as much as I can but haven't been able to find specific answers to my questions. Hopefully y'all can provide some input. The birds we are going to buy are going to have blood drawn right in front of us to guarantee no illness is already preexisting so my questions are


Is it ok to just put the new birds straight into the coop when we get home if it'll be after dark when we get there?
We have a dog pen we can set up in a separate out building if necessary.

No. You should quarantine the new birds for at least two to four weeks.

Do we have to lock the new birds in the coop with the preexisting flock? If so, how can we guarantee that there won't be any fighting going on in there??

Once the quarantine is over, could you pen the new birds next to the existing ones so they could see each other for about a week before integrating them?

If we wait until the next day to add them to the run is there a specific way to introduce them? Or do we just throw them in and let nature take its course.

Once you are ready to integrate new birds to an existing flock, it works best to do it at night. For some reason when chickens wake up together they get along better. Please also allow plenty of room for the newcomers to run away from the existing birds.


Any info on these questions and any other helpful tips anyone has on this issue will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[cabinchicky]

pathfinders I wish I knew how to save that last post, grr on my mobile!! very good points there I will need to use in the spring.

 

[Pathfinders]

pathfinders I wish I knew how to save that last post, grr on my mobile!! very good points there I will need to use in the spring.

Send me a PM and I will email it to you if you'd like.

 

[cabinchicky]

thanks!! will do here shortly.

 

[FirstLadiesClub]

We will definitely being quarantining the birds thanks to your advice and we will pen the birds in the run when we do integrate them, my question is at night they won't have access to the coop at night or should we allow them to go in there? From what I've read on other posts its dangerous to allow the birds in the coop at night together bc they may fight in the small area. One of my ongoing issues with getting advice here is all the differing opinions..grrrrrr where are the chicken Gods when I need them?!