Adding new birds to flock?? Need ideas

[KateR]

Neighbor of mine needed to get rid of his 12 hens asked me if I wanted them..said sure why not. So as of right now I have all 12 full grown hens in a large dog cage sitting in my coop. Now I let my birds free range during the day and they roost in the coop at night. So my question is when can I let the new comers out and know they will be safe and return to the coop at night? It's only been one night but it's already getting cramped with all 12 in the dog cage.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

They should stay in the coop for a week to let them learn where "home" is. ideally you should've kept them completely separate from your flock for a month to make sure they are healthy and are not introducing any pests or diseases. It may be a good time to dust your old and new birds for mites and deworm them as a precaution.

 

[redsoxs]

X2 on sumi's advice!

 

[liz9910]

x3 on sumi's advice.

 

[KateR]

Oh no I cleaned out the coop put new wood shaving in, dusted everyone and gave everyone antibiotic in their water when I got them all home. I don't have a way to put them in a completely different area away from the others so I should leave them in dog craig for a week?

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Since they are neighboring birds chances are that they and your birds have already been exposed to the same environment. It almost sounds as if the dog cage is too small for them. I would add them to the coop, but not allow free ranging for at least a week.

 

[KateR]

Thank you!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.