Blending new mature birds with existing ones ?

[JoeOxfordCT]

I had a run in with a neigbors dog last weekend while my birds were free ranging in my yard. Lost 4 hens....got the police & animal control involved...I'm not here to rant about dogs, another time maybe, anyways, tomorrow I am going to Salem Feed & Grain (Perfectly_Polish told me about them) to pick up 4 mature laying, or about ready to lay pullets. The neighbor is paying. What I want to know is will I have to take any special steps to integrate the new girls with the existing flock...which is now down to 2 roos and 4 hens. They had just started laying last week too !

I did do a search here but many of the posts have to do with blending smaller, younger birds with adults....all the birds involved with my move should be roughly the same size...

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Lollipop]

Shouldn`t be much of a problem. Biosecurity measures would dictate them being quarrentined for a minimum of 2 weeks for observation. Then they can be put with the others. There will be a struggle among the hens for pecking order, but once established, all should be pretty smooth. Glad you got that dog thing settled.

 

[Roosteroops]

As long as they are roughly the same in size - I've always had luck with just throwing them all together! I do keep them separated for a 2 day period just to make sure the new ones aren't sick...... actually I lied....... I KNOW I should do that and I never have - If the new birds come from a family run, clean farm and the birds look good - I throw them in together and watch for a day or two. Mine are out of the coop from dawn until dusk though - so maybe that bit of space helps them. But the pecking order is going to occur either way. But the chicken experts will tell you to have a wait period to insure the new group's health.
I'm actually in the same situation - since I had one hen "turn" to a Rooster!! Now my poor girls are being tortured by two annoying Roosters! I need some more hens too.

 

[JoeOxfordCT]

Hmmm...I hadn't thought about quarantining them for medical reasons.....

I will have to check with Salem Feed & Grain....

Thanks for the points & advice !!

J.

 

[dave_Cash69]

quarenteen them from the rest of the flock for atleast 2 weeks, then introduce them. it will be a while, but they will get theyre pecking order in, and from there it will be smooth sailing