bringing in new chickens

[SubArcticFowl]

This summer has been my first experience with chicken keeping. It went well. I started with three but unfortunately lost one due to complications relating to a prolapsed vent. The other two chickens have been safe and healthy.

Where I live many people just have chickens during summer and send them to freezer camp come fall. As a result, the local Facebook group is flooded with people giving away good, young, egg layers. I've agreed to take two from a friend. They got them from a neighbour and don't know much about them, but apparently they each lay every day. Any idea what breed these are?

I am also looking for advice on how to integrate with my flock. My two hens are very skittish with me, but very passive with each other. I've seen recommendations of having them see each other, but not touch for two weeks. That would require me to build another coop next to my existing one. It took me long enough to build my current one. I've got lots of space with 48 sq ft inside and 72 sq ft outside (see photo). I am hoping I can get away with just putting a chicken wire fence down the middle between the of the run and separating them that way during the day, but then at night put them on the roost next to each other and hope for the best. The thing about the see, but not touch that bugs me is that is the worst thing you can do with dogs.

 

[DobieLover]

Looks like a Plymouth Barred Rock and possibly an Easter Egger.

72 sq ft outside (see photo)

That's not that big. Actually, it's a little small for 4 birds. But what it does have going for it is clutter. Is it predator proof?

then at night put them on the roost next to each other and hope for the best.

That is not a great idea unless you put them in after it's fully dark and you are back out there before dawn.

The thing about the see, but not touch that bugs me is that is the worst thing you can do with dogs.

They are not dogs.
Dogs that don't know each other often play exuberantly.
Chickens that don't know each other adopt a "who the hell are you and what are you doing in my space? Leave. NOW!!" attitude. And when the other bird physically cannot leave or get far enough away, they are more often than not attacked.

 

[SubArcticFowl]

Cool, thanks very the ID.

I always thought the general recommendations were 4 sf/bird inside and 10 sf/bird outside. Using those numbers, 72 sqft outside should be enough for seven birds and more than enough for four. What numbers do you use? For clutter, it has some stumps and two old fence sections leaning on the side. For predator proofing, it has hardware cloth on all sides and 3' extending out horizontally. I chased a fox away from it a couple of days ago who was stalking the perimeter. I inspect it daily and have yet to notice any evidence where something has tried to get in.

I understand chickens are not dogs. That is just my go-to reference for animals and it is what I have the most experience with. That's why I am on here asking questions of people who have more experience.

I am just trying to find an economical way to bring in two birds other than building a second coop and run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I always thought the general recommendations were 4 sf/bird inside and 10 sf/bird outside. Using those numbers, 72 sqft outside should be enough for seven birds and more than enough for four.

I am just trying to find an economical way to bring in two birds other than building a second coop and run.

The reason 72 sq ft is "kinda small" is integration favors space, because once the birds have access to one another they need to be able to get away from the pursuer if necessary, and that = clutter to break line of sight or just ample open space allow lower ranked birds to get out of the higher ranked bird's personal bubble.

Otherwise yes you do have more than the minimum recommended space.

That said, you don't need a 2nd coop and run. Use chicken wire or anything like snow fencing, deer fencing, to wall off half the existing run. Maybe get cobble some pallets into a 3 walled crate, or pick up a used dog house, and that should be enough to serve as a "coop" for the next 1-2 weeks to start integration. If you need a temporary nest box, milk crates, buckets, or anything similar in size can be used to provide one.

 

[aart]

I always thought the general recommendations were 4 sf/bird inside and 10 sf/bird outside.

That's a bare minimum, especially in your climate.
....and as already mentioned, integration works best with extra space.

Do you plan on weather proofing your run walls?

 

[SubArcticFowl]

The staredown has begun.


Spiderman (BR) is pretty vocal, but other than that it has been pretty good. They have water, feed, and nesting box in their side now. I'll see if I can build a place for them to sleep later today.

And yes, I plan on attaching vapour barrier to the outside of the run to get them through the fall. In December when it gets really cold I will move them to a warmer location under my deck next to the boiler room.