Adding new birds

[kathythom]

Are my 30 week old Americana's to old to have new 30 week olds to my flock? I only have two.

 

[ValerieJ]

I think you could do it. You need to have a 30 day quarantine to make sure the new pullets aren't bringing in any diseases. Also, when it is time to integrate, begin with a look don't touch situation. Two adjacent runs works perfectly for this. Good luck!!

 

[ChickenWaterer]

I wrote a blog post about this a few years ago. As Valerie mentioned above a quarantine period in near proximity is a must. I suggest four additional tips on how to add a new : http://blog.chickenwaterer.com/2013/04/top-5-tips-for-introducing-new-chicks.html

 

[aart]

a quarantine period in near proximity is a must.

No, a true biological quarantine needs to be far away from the existing flock.
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Are my 30 week old Americana's to old to have new 30 week olds to my flock? I only have two.

Depends...how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
How many new birds are you planning on getting?
Integration works best with extra space.

Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
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.

 

[chickens really]

Yes. How many and how big is the Coop and Run?

 

[chickens really]

No, a true biological quarantine needs to be far away from the existing flock.