Adding new pullets to a young flock

[KatieRice]

I have 6 young pullets (buff Orpington) and 3 young cockerels (black laced golden Wyandotte) - all three months old, in my flock right now. The cockerels we bought straight run as chicks and unfortunately for us they are all male. I posted them on Craigslist and someone is willing to trade one of my cockerels for two of her Lakenvelder pullets (about 4 months old). The trade will be happening in a few days, and I want to be able to prepare as much as possible. This is my first year as a chicken owner, so I can use all the help I can get. We have one coop and one run. I'm wondering if I should section off a part of the run and a part of the coop and bring them in and out each morning and night, or if anyone has a better idea? Thanks guys, this community has been so helpful already. I appreciate you all!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would first quarantined them for 3-4 weeks before integrating them exactly as you said by dividing up the area. Younger birds integrated with younger birds can sometimes take longer. Hopefully you have plenty of room which will help in integration.

 

[KatieRice]

Coop has plenty of room, but run may need expansion - that shouldn't be too difficult. This may seem like a dumb question but how does a quarantine work?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Quarantine is housing new birds away from your current birds to watch to see if any diseases present themselves. Than you sometimes use one of your bird as a sacrifice bird and house it next to them to see if your current bird gets sick as bird from one place can be immune to stuff birds from your place aren't. You can forego the quarantine and take your chances but many people have brought nasty stuff home to their flocks. I personally only bring in day old chicks, older birds are always a risk. It just depends on what you are comfortable with and what risks you are willing to take.

 

[bobbi-j]

If you're not able to properly quarantine (housing them from 100-300' - I can never remember which - from your current flock, not sharing any equipment between the two flocks, changing shoes and possibly clothes between when going from one flock to another), I would suggest you examine those birds thoroughly. Look for bright eyes and good shiny feathers. Look for parasites or anything that looks "off".

 

[KatieRice]

Could I use something like this to quarantine for a few weeks? (Covering up holes of course) I'm currently scouring Craigslist for a dog crate - but I already have one of these play houses.

 

[aart]

BYC Medical Quarantine Article
Poultry Biosecurity
BYC 'medical quarantine' search