Adding to flock - adults or chicks?

[JordanFarm]

Wondering if it is better/easier/less stressful to add adults to a flock or to get chicks.

I acquired 5 hens of unknown ages about 18 months ago and this (VERY COLD) winter, 2 of them have died. The remaining 3 are happy, but have not laid since December, and I would like to have eggs again. I do NOT plan to get rid of these girls - everyone here gets to live as long as they live, but want to add another 3-6 to the flock.

If I were to get some new chicks this spring I would know their ages but chicks are very labor intensive. but cute.

There are always ads for laying adult hens so I could easily find a few more but there's the risk of not knowing how old they are and I'm not just interested in becoming a hen retirement center. But if they are laying and their people don't want them?

At some point the chicks will need to integrate. Will my hens more readily accept chicks that have been growing nearby (visible in same area) or does it really not matter and I can bring in 2-3 new adults and it will be the same re-establishment of the pecking order whether they've seen them grow up or not?

Sorry this was so long.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Wondering if it is better/easier/less stressful to add adults to a flock or to get chicks.

I acquired 5 hens of unknown ages about 18 months ago and this (VERY COLD) winter, 2 of them have died. The remaining 3 are happy, but have not laid since December, and I would like to have eggs again. I do NOT plan to get rid of these girls - everyone here gets to live as long as they live, but want to add another 3-6 to the flock.

If I were to get some new chicks this spring I would know their ages but chicks are very labor intensive. but cute.

There are always ads for laying adult hens so I could easily find a few more but there's the risk of not knowing how old they are and I'm not just interested in becoming a hen retirement center. But if they are laying and their people don't want them?

At some point the chicks will need to integrate. Will my hens more readily accept chicks that have been growing nearby (visible in same area) or does it really not matter and I can bring in 2-3 new adults and it will be the same re-establishment of the pecking order whether they've seen them grow up or not?

Sorry this was so long.

Adult birds can bring in diseases that can wipe out your whole flock. I only get chicks for replacements, and integrate at 6-10 weeks of age. I pen them where they can be seen for a week or two before starting supervised integration.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Wondering if it is better/easier/less stressful to add adults to a flock or to get chicks.

I acquired 5 hens of unknown ages about 18 months ago and this (VERY COLD) winter, 2 of them have died. The remaining 3 are happy, but have not laid since December, and I would like to have eggs again. I do NOT plan to get rid of these girls - everyone here gets to live as long as they live, but want to add another 3-6 to the flock.

If I were to get some new chicks this spring I would know their ages but chicks are very labor intensive. but cute.

There are always ads for laying adult hens so I could easily find a few more but there's the risk of not knowing how old they are and I'm not just interested in becoming a hen retirement center. But if they are laying and their people don't want them?

At some point the chicks will need to integrate. Will my hens more readily accept chicks that have been growing nearby (visible in same area) or does it really not matter and I can bring in 2-3 new adults and it will be the same re-establishment of the pecking order whether they've seen them grow up or not?

Sorry this was so long.

 

[ChickenPooDo]

Yes what oldhen said. Adult birds can bring diseases and they will be carriers for life. Some diseases are so bad you will have to cull all chickens then try to sanitize your property or wait sometimes up to years before bringing new birds in. Even if you quarantine new birds when you get them, they may not show symptoms of what they are carrying until your existing birds become sick. I have a rule on my farm to only buy baby chicks or have a broody hen hatch chicks for me. I'm also going to make sure all chicks are vaccinated for Mareks. Yes it's a pain in the butt to have chicks in the house but better for you in the long run.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I'm with the above folks all the way! Only Marek's vaccinated chicks from good hatcheries come here, and are isolated for almost three weeks, until their immunity can develop. No outside birds, ever.
Chicks take longer, but are more fun, and you can pick such an interesting variety of breeds.
Mary

 

[K813ZRA]

Yep, I like the idea of chicks too! Sure, all of the above reasons are great but the fun of having chicks is a good reason too! I integrate mine at around 8 weeks, normally.

 

[JordanFarm]

Ok! Chicks it is! I hope my remaining three girls live long and happy (and healthy) lives and wouldn't want to jeopardize them.

Thank you - this board is a great resource.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well I have done both many times. You do have to be careful and know who you are getting birds from, I get from a gal with a similar set up to mine. You usually start getting eggs within a few days. I like that. Sometimes you cannot get birds, or birds you like. Do not EVER add a bird you feel sorry for.

My own older hens are just now starting to lay again, so your old girl should be getting red combs and will produce some eggs with spring and summer. One might go broody, and then she can raise chicks in the flock, easy peasy.

Last year, I bought chicks, and at 3 weeks, I sectioned off an area in the run. I used lattice panel, chicks could go in and out like water. They worked it out and with in a week I took it down. They were fully integrated into the flock. Worked a treat. It allowed the chicks to get brave on their own, and retreat when they needed too.

Mrsk

 

[aart]

Chicks!
Yes, can be more labor intensive,
unless you've got things set up to make it easier.
Work hard first, then enjoy the process more later.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/