Advice needed - adding older hens to the flock

[feather16]

I've successfully added many babies to our flock, and 1 one year old hen. My friend has to get rid of her hens, so I'm taking them, 3 of them are eight years old and the other two hens are around 2-3 years old. My flock has 6 three year old hens/rooster, and 3 one year old hens/rooster (2 roosters total). I'm not concerned about the younger hens, because I've done it before, and my flock (so far) has been very accepting of anyone new.

My main concern is the 3 older hens. Being eight years old, I'm just not sure. Is there any tips to help it go smoothly? The roosters get along okay, the older rooster sleeps in his own coop at night and will get chased off the ladies, but never has drawn blood. I don't have a separate run, but separate coops. The five new ladies will stay in their own little coop for a week or so, then I plan to integrate them into the flock. They'll have the choice to go to the main coop, or the bachelors pad coop for bed when everyone is happy and settled.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I'll gladly accept any advice please.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

My first concern with older birds (anything older than a chick) is always quarantine. I brought in Infectious Bronchitis one year by bringing in 1 year old pullets.

So with that in mind, 1 week is not enough quarantine time for birds from another farm. It should be at least 2 weeks to observe any illness or parasites. (You don't want to have to treat a whole flock of scaly mite.) Separate coop with no close interaction will prevent cross contamination of bacteria and parasites, but not viruses. That only would take all the chickens in hazmat suits and a bubble coop, so the best you can do is separate with no run or fence exposure and avoid cross contaminating by changing boots and coat, tend your flock first, then new flock.

As to the 8 year old gals. They may have trouble with the transition at that age. It might be really hard on them, and they may succumb to illness from transition stress (which is why you want to quarantine). Or, they could do fine. It will definitely create a pecking order reshuffle at first, however, if your roosters are worth their salt, they will simply usher in the new girls with open wings (literally) and integrate the flock smoothly.

You are most likely to see more conflict between your senior and junior roos during this time as they shuffle for position before the ladies. If junior hasn't challenged senior yet, this would be the time. So watch out for that. Battles could become bloody....or not....totally depends on the temperament of the birds. Do be aware that juniors will typically lay low for the first year, or so, then make their move, in a normal flock situation....this may open the gates to that.

So, my suggestion, quarantine first for 2 weeks. Then integrate in open yard during the day's foraging. Chances are after the first day the roosters will have done the job of integrating the new hens. You'll see some minor tuffles between the girls, which the roosters should settle fairly quickly, if they are alert to their flock needs. Really watch the older gals for any signs of unthriftiness brought on by transition stress. Older, stressed birds act as a vector for illness to the whole flock.

My thoughts (and experiences)
LofMc

 

[feather16]

Oh yikes! I am so sorry! Okay great, 2 weeks it is, thank you for that.

That's what my worry was with the older girls. The only other place she can find, culls the older ones. So I figured I'd have to give it a shot, so I hope it works out for these girls. Thankfully the boys are very loving to the girls, and only one spicy girl (the alpha hen) - so I will keep a look out. Thankfully, due to being laid off for the moment, I'll have the time to hang out with the flock and really monitor the transition.

Thank you so much for writing to me! I appreciate any knowledge

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Good luck with the transition.

 

[Mrs. K]

8 year old hens are OLD. They will more than likely be nearing the end of their life, no matter where they are. Give them a best shot, but do not feel guilty if they go.

Mrs K

 

[Lovem all]

I would go about it how you'd integrate any other chickens. I have a ten year old and several 8 year olds and I would add them the same way I do the babies.

 

[feather16]

Okay, solid advice, thank you! Yeah my husband and I talked about the fact of them being so old in chicken years, but I figure our ranch is a decent place to spend their "henopause"

I just hope they make it through the quarantine *fingers crossed*

 

[feather16]

I haven’t gotten anyone to respond to my thread in the Illness forum. Hopefully some of you may have some insight.

The older girls have been with me now for 4 days, and yesterday afternoon I noticed one of the 8yr girls was wheezing a bit. I think I heard her sneeze, maybe once or twice. I’m curious if it’s stress due to the move, and I have two roosters so there’s a lot of commotion in my run on the daily. It’s been 80-90* and the coop they are in is small, but the front of it is a big cage, so lots of air flow.

So far, no other symptoms - no discharge. She still comes out and eats and drinks, is still very interested in the treats I lay out for them. Could it be stress on an old girl, or illness? It’s hard to notice any behaviour difference because they are new to me, so everyone is cautious and comes out slowly. I have started putting acv in their water, I probably should’ve in the beginning but better now than never.
Anyway, thank you for reading.

 

[LaFleche]

During the two weeks of quarantine you could de-worm them and treat for scaly leg mites (just spray their legs with Ballistaol Animal Spray every other day) and inspect the newcomers closely for lice/mites too.

 

[feather16]

Thank you, I will do that. I’m planning to drop a few drops of ivermectin in a few days as well.