Adding new chickens to my flock today

[Kikicounihan]

Hi! I am new to this and pretty nervous about adding two new hens to my flock that I am picking up today. I know to quarantine, etc so it isn't the disease possibility that worries me, it is the risk of injury, I am adding new hens because my straight run of Bantams ended up being two roosters and two hens so I know this will be hard on my hens down the line. They are 16 weeks old. The farm I am purchasing them from today has a wide range of ages, etc. What would be the best age to chose? They are the same breed which will be helpful. Once I get them home, is keeping them in a cage within the coop the best way to start out? Has anyone had success with placing them in the coop at night while the others are asleep? We also have a large fenced in area where the goats live that the chickens go in to free range throughout the day and I thought about placing the new hens in here and then putting the other four in there as well so they can see each other and interact but have room to get away.

I look forward to any advice or suggestions!

Carrie

 

[maidenwolfx80]

So exciting

getting new additions. Its vey addicting. You should try to get them at the same age as your others. You should definately quarintine for the required time length first. I usually do mine for 1 week. I get mine all from the same farm so I know what is and what is not around there. I have alot of success with putting them out to free range together, they are on more neutral ground alot more room for the newbies to get away if need be. I usualy always put the new birds in a wire dog crate next to the run so the others can meet them and then go about my letting them all free range together. Of course you will still go thru your pecking order deal no matter what. Make sure you keep things calm becuse it is alot of stress on all of them.

 

[Kikicounihan]

It is addicting! I can't wait for 12:30 today when I can pick them up. I will get ones around the same age, thanks for the suggestion. Do I leave them in the dog crate inside the run as well as inside the coop or should I just put them in the dog crate in the coop and let them free range with the others and hope for the best since they will have space to get away? Thanks for your help!

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Well when you quarentine you really should keep them far from your original chickens if you were meaning that.. When I introduce my birds I put them in the kennel so the others can see but not get to them and leave them in the kennel until it is time to free range. Mine usually settle down after an hour or so of them being in there. Of course put food and water in kennel for them should be obvious but /i just threw that in.

 

[Kikicounihan]

Well I went for two, and came home with three hens! Two Mille Fleurs and one red bantam. Right now I have them in a kennel near the others so everyone can see each other! The roosters are quite interested. We will see how it goes once I let everyone interact. Thanks for the tips!

 

[devora]

Well I went for two, and came home with three hens!

Chicken Math at its best.