Adding to the "Gang"

[Hawgon]

We have (60 3 month olds and one of them is doing the learning how to crow thing and is about twice the size of the others...soooooooo..we found a nice farm for him and they have some pullets we can pick from to replace him. Our plan is to get 2 new pullets to bring back to our flock, we are hoping to get roughly the same age and size. Will they integrate into our flock ok? Should we stick the new ones in the coop at night with the flock?(Read that on her somewhere..lol).....Any advice or experience on this would be great. My grand-daughter is upset we have to get rid of one but she gets to pick the new ones..
Her with Trixie now Trixter.....

 

[teach1rusl]

You guys have 60 birds???

Or was that a typo??

 

[Hawgon]

You guys have 60 birds???    Or was that a typo??

oops...caught me...6 not 60....

 

[Time-Out]

Putting them in at night is a good idea. Do you free-range your chickens around the garden at all? I have found that to be very helpful in integrating new chickens; the extra space, lots to do, etc keeps them busy so they're not as inclined to beat up the new kids.

 

[Hawgon]

Putting them in at night is a good idea. Do you free-range your chickens around the garden at all? I have found that to be very helpful in integrating new chickens; the extra space, lots to do, etc keeps them busy so they're not as inclined to beat up the new kids.

We free range them in the backyard everyday, all day...I will try that, we are getting new hens on Sat. Am and they will have all day to get along that way.

 

[teach1rusl]

If things go badly, you will probably have to wire off a small area for the newbies for a week or two...let them get used to one another from the relative safety of a barrier. Once they're used to seeing one another around, integrations typically go easier. Age will play a part too. If the 2 newbies are older by several months, that will help level the playing field. But if they're the same age or younger than your current birds, then it may be rough going for several weeks... Good luck! Integration is never (rarely) easy when it comes to chickens. You will want to be sure to monitor closely for the first several days of attempts. Pecks here and there will happen - all part of showing domin./pecking order. But if feathers begin being pulled out or combs bloodied, you'll want to intervene quickly, as chickens are drawn to red/blood.

 

[Hawgon]

If things go badly, you will probably have to wire off a small area for the newbies for a week or two...let them get used to one another from the relative safety of a barrier. Once they're used to seeing one another around, integrations typically go easier. Age will play a part too. If the 2 newbies are older by several months, that will help level the playing field. But if they're the same age or younger than your current birds, then it may be rough going for several weeks... Good luck! Integration is never (rarely) easy when it comes to chickens. You will want to be sure to monitor closely for the first several days of attempts. Pecks here and there will happen - all part of showing domin./pecking order. But if feathers begin being pulled out or combs bloodied, you'll want to intervene quickly, as chickens are drawn to red/blood.

Thanks for the advice. Tommorrow is the big day, and I will try to get 2 that are a little bigger and/or older to help level the playing field. We wanted to do it on a weekend so we could keep watch over them.

 

[Hawgon]

Last night the 2 new hens slowly made their way up the ramp and poked their heads in the coop at dusk. There was a little squawking but they stayed in. Tonight they all went in at the same time and not a peep. They still dont freerange together but at least they all sleep together. Fingers are crossed....

 

[KDK1]

You should have quarantined them for about a month before introducing to your flock. Hoping for the best.