Adding new chickens to a flock

[Zach Hangman]

I was planning on getting 8 more chickens for my backyard flock. I have a large backyard and two chicken coops. But I don't know what breeds to get. I was thinking a couple Mille fleur d'uccle and a couple silkies because the little ones like silkies. But do you think seabrights would be a good addition. I looking to add some diversity among my flock. Bantams and maybe some more interesting chickens. Like a naked neck or something. Any thoughts, tips or concerns?? I need all the help I can get.

 

[chickens really]

Depending on the size of your Coops/runs it depends on what breeds you already have and how many?
Research breeds and see if they are really what you want? Silkies are known for broodiness...Bantams are flighty birds...I have one Bantam hen and she is like a road runner...Always on the go...
Check out the Chicken chick and do some thinking on what your really hoping to have?

Good luck

 

[kajira]

I love our cochins. They fluffy feet and butt's are so fun! I am adding more of those to our flock. We got a small flock of Easter eggers, to see how they do. People say they aren't friendly, but they've been handled so much, they tolerate it okay for being a less friendly breed than some.

The batch i'm raising now, is far friendly from the get go - which are the cochins (my male roo that I love, is a cochin and he's been great, not aggressive at all.) I'm going to throw 3 polish crested in, with his flock, along with the cochins. I was planning on putting my 2 survived sex linked in with the EE. Just to make sure I have enough hens for our 2 roosters.

Assuming, that none of these turn out to be males. LOL

 

[unbaked pegga]

here is a post I made at another forum to give you my perspective:

My chickens are wearing me out. I have three 2 year-old by Orpington's. About 5 weeks ago ago I got 2 red Orpington pullets which are about a little over half the size of the other Orpington's. I kept them in a cage for two weeks. About 10 days ago I let them out. They free range and I stay out here with them most of the time. It was pandemonium right from the get go. The Alpha hen,( I do not have a rooster,) really was not aggressive at all. It was the other two especially the one that is at the bottom of the pecking order really showed their tail feathers (they were ugly) . I had to get the garden hose after them. I am out here with them almost all the time in the summer. Most of the time it is not too bad. They do try to keep the younger chickens from getting to the food and water, but I watch that. Yesterday I had errands to run and appointment so I was gone about four or five hours. When I came back, I brought the girls some watermelon. I put two pieces outside and the older three immediately come running over and started eating. But I didn't see the younger two. I waited and I waited and they never showed up. To myself I thought that was kind of strange so I went looking for them and they were under a shrub on the side of the house. I put a piece of watermelon in the yard not 10 feet from them and they would not come out from under the bush. And it was that way the rest of the day. By late afternoon they came out some but the other two started chasing them as soon as they saw them. There is no telling what they did to them while I was gone. But there was no blood no open places so probably they just chased down. I don't know how long it is going to take for them to integrate into the flock, because in the evening the older hens go to the coop and the younger hens go to the cage. They seem terrified of the older chickens and most of the time even with me they are very skittish. But I'm not a touchy-feely chicken owner with any of my hens. I talk baby talk to them and visit with them but I don't pick them up. If they jump up on me that's fine but I don't try to pick them up because unless I catch them off guard I have to use the net. Unless I have medicine to give them I I try to alleviate that mutual stress. But I do adore them. They are pets only, I don't like eggs. As fall approaches I know that the younger hens are not going to be able to stay in the cage as it gets colder weather. They are going to have to go to the coop. Is there any thing I can do to help them to mingle. I am at a loss because I have only had chickens for two years and this is the first time I have ever tried to introduce new chickens into this block. And I will say it will be the last

 

[chickens really]

Are you asking for help???
Chickens are a Flock...Strong pecking order is always in place...Adding new birds is not always easy..I really never interfere unless blood is shed and that never happens if introduction is done properly...A lot of chasing and chest bumping goes on...New hens are always in a little flock by themselves..It takes weeks or even months for Chickens to become one flock...Just Chickens being Chickens.

 

[unbaked pegga]

Am I asking for help? I was replying to someone else's posts about adding chickens, giving them my experience thus far, and if anyone knew how long it would take for them to be a flock. That's all

 

[chickens really]

Am I asking for help? I was replying to someone else's posts about adding chickens, giving them my experience thus far, and if anyone knew how long it would take for them to be a flock. That's all

Sorry.....I got confused by the long post is all....

Thanks for clearing that up...Enjoy the birds...I do.