Adding young pullets to the flock?

[wichix411]

Ok, so I have eight 10 1/2 week old pullets and would like some more.. I found a lady who is trying to reduce her flock size. She has a bunch of six week old pullets to sell. Would it be safe to do? I know she is raising them like mine, but I don't know if I should so I thought I might ask the BYC EXPERTS!!!!

 

[cmom]

I quarantined any new birds for at least a month before I put them together. I kept them near each other where they could see each other but could not touch each other. I waited until they are all nearly the same size. I integrated mine while free ranging. Every day for about a week I would let the pullets out into the yard first and let them spend about an hour before I let the hens out. The hens did chase them some but I put plenty of treats out to distract them so they would fixate more on the treats than each other. They will still bicker as they are establishing their pecking order and some integrations do go more smoothly than other. Not to be taken for granted.

 

[greathorse]

The quarantining issue aside, and that is your decision, I have had little difficulty getting very young stock such as yours to comingle without issue. I raise all my own stuff so do not have the Q issue but just this week added soem 8 week old stuff to some birds that were in the 16 week range and aside from a peck here and there for about 48 hours they are doing fine. I also introduced some 18 week old pullets to some of the old grumpys and it is the same. They give them the occasional whack but no blood no lost feathers and tonight they were all on the same roost.

Good luck