Adding to the Flock

[wenwar]

I am adding 6 new chickens to my existing flock of 5. The new hens are 3 years old, my flock is 1 y/o. Do I still need to crate/separate the new hens?

 

[DobieLover]

I am adding 6 new chickens to my existing flock of 5. The new hens are 3 years old, my flock is 1 y/o. Do I still need to crate/separate the new hens?

Yes. If you just put them all together, all hell will break loose.
You will also need to be on the lookout for coccidiosis in both sub-flocks as they have each developed resistance to exposure to the unique strains in the environment in which they were raised.

 

[Mrs. K]

If I had 3 year old hens, I would consider adding year old hens, but I would not do it the way you are doing it, if I read it correctly. The older a bird is, the more apt they are to health issues. They have been exposed to more, just because they are older. It is also at this age 3+ where as health issues start to happen, and many will be close to the end of their lives. Their egg production will be going down, and often times their egg quality as well.

If you want more hens, it would be better to go toward younger birds IMO. And do not under in circumstances take in birds you feel sorry for. You could loose all your birds. To me you are risking a great deal.

By taking in old birds, well it will greatly age your flock, increase your feed costs, and decrease your egg production.

Mrs K

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Good luck with the integration!

 

[aart]

I am adding 6 new chickens to my existing flock of 5. The new hens are 3 years old, my flock is 1 y/o. Do I still need to crate/separate the new hens?

Why do you want such old hens?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics are helpful.

Here's some tips and links.....
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[WindingRoad]

I am adding 6 new chickens to my existing flock of 5. The new hens are 3 years old, my flock is 1 y/o. Do I still need to crate/separate the new hens?

I added 2 pullets into my flock of 2 year olds. Not too bad. The younger ones were skittish. My skinny( always been skinny but lays nice 60+ gram eggs) ISABrown is top of the pecking order. My 2 SLW stay away. They can eat together. But Bert (ISA) has no one to cuddle with her at night. I told her if she would be nicer to the SLW they might keep her warm at night. My BO cuddles with them. It's funny to see Black Orange Black snuggled on the roost at night. BO and ISAB raised together so they will both cuddle in a nest box.

 

[wenwar]

Thank you everyone, after reading your comments I decided against the "new" hens. I might get a couple of chicks this season instead. Thank goodness for Backyard Chickens!

 

[aart]

Thank you everyone, after reading your comments I decided against the "new" hens. I might get a couple of chicks this season instead. Thank goodness for Backyard Chickens!

Good decision...adding young chicks is much easier, if you get set up for it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/