adding to flock

[chad s]

Hi we currently have 3, 2 year old rhode island reds. We would like to add another 3 or 4 birds to the flock. I would like to find young three or four month old birds and not start with chicks. We have a coup and enclosed outdoor run large enough to handle the additional birds. How do I integrate them? I have learned chickens can be quite cannibalistic and I am not sure how the old ones will take to the new addition? Any suggestions are greatly welcome.

Chad

 

[DavidKerk]

To integrate them, you put them in the coop at night when all the chickens are sleeping. Just check on them a couple times the next day. There will be a little stress because the pecking order of the flock will have to be reastablished but that stress should go away after a day or two, however, if there is blood being drawn you'll want to pen off a little place for the injured one (still in the coop just separated from the other birds with wire fence.) Have food and water in there for her and once she is healed they should be already used to her because of they can interact with her through the fence so there should be very little trouble! I hope this helps!!!