Adding to the flock,,first time.

[flash5153]

Bought 2 Australorp's yesterday. We have 9 golden Comets about 16 weeks old. Australorp's are the same age. Will be picking them up Sunday. They are good looking birds.
I will Quarantine them for 2 days before putting them together and give them a dust bath. Hoping they get along OK. All are Hens.

I was planning on adding some more roosts the same day I put them together.Thinking this will give the newcomers a place to roost without stepping on anyone's feet.

Was also thinking of getting some Bantams and adding them into the flock at a later date.(Not so much for eggs,but I like the way they look,,,maybe even 2morrow)

Any tips on this?? I heard the bantams might be aggressive.

Bought the Australorp's from the GCF,,,Michigan. Is there anyone here familiar with that??

 

[GAchick]

Uh, I don't think 2 days is enough of a quarantine. I think 30 days is recommended.

 

[flash5153]

Well,,hmmm??? I have no place to put them for 30 days. All I have is a rather large wire dog cage,portable kinda thing.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quarantine for as long as you can in whatever you can. You need to make sure these birds are not sick. If not you *could* get your other birds sick.
Good luck with the new birds.

 

[Pequena Bandada]

Everyone says at least 30 days of quarantine, but (apologies to the purists here), it's not possible in all cases. So whether you can or can't... I'd try to find a way to let the chickens see each other for a few days without actually physically touching. Perhaps put the dog cage next to your chicken run and let the new ones hang in there for a few days. I've heard that can help with the transition. When you integrate the two groups, add a second waterer and feeder for at least a short amount of time in case the larger flock keeps the new birds away from the regular food and water dishes. Your second waterer and feeder could be just plastic bowls.

 

[flash5153]

Thanks,,

I guess I could keep them in the cage for awhile. Its about 3 ft X 4 ft and 3 ft tall. They look very healthy. Ill give a dust bath for mites.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Here's the BYC page on introducing new chickens to each other:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

 

[Morgan7782]

3x4 is plenty of room for 2 chickens I think to be quarantined. Even with a 30 or 60 day quarantine there are plenty of health risks. You either don't add birds to your flock or do the best you can. Some things don't show up until much later, could be months. But I think however long you quarantine them, that cage is a fine size. I have 2 hens in a 2x4 dog kennel coop and they are totally content.

To introduce them after quarantine, I would keep them seperated with a fence but so they can all see, smell, and hear each other. I would do this for about a week or two until all the chest bumping and introductions have taken place. Don't be surprised if they get pecked at first, but as long as there isn't bloodshed you are safe. Especially with them all being similar age and size. I wish you luck! It should go smoothly