adding new hens and rooster

[Chicken Rob]

i have a flock of 18 RIR. 12 are about 25 weeks others are older . i am getting 17 Barred rock hens and 1 rooster . looking for best way to introduce to flock . may be little crowded in coop till spring time addition is done . but dont want to pass up these good young free hens . barred rocks are less then year old some older but not much . i have a large 16by 8 run they will be in to . coop is 10 by 10 . .. i no to add them at night , i can't seperate them , so may be kinda ugly at first . any tricks to make it easier

 

[swtangel321]

First.......

I know you said that you cant seperate them but it is very important to keep the seprate from your flock in till you know they are healthy !!! You really dont want your whole flock getting sick from new birds.... This will only cause more problems !!

 

[Chicken Rob]

yes i was thinking that , but not sure how it could be done . this flock of barred rocks seem very healthy .

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
Yes, a flock can seem healthy but still infect another flock with somthing !!

I know its hard and we dont all have the space !!! If you could find some way to do it that would be great !!

 

[wings]

If you isolate ONE of your old chickens with all the other new ones, you only risk losing one, as apposed to the whole flock.