can we have chicken cousins visit our flock?

[funnyfoshay]

I had 8 hens for about 1 yr. Gave two to my sister. She has had them about a year. She is going on vacation for 2 weeks and wants me to board her hens. I took them for her last summer and it was no problem.
I do not want to overcomplicate this...but I am a bit worried....Will the girls all recognize each other and make nice quickly?
should I put the 2 visitors in a dog crate for a few days ?

the visitors are 2 BOs, I have 1 barred Rock 1 white rock who is a total bully, 2 EEs and 2 Buff Brahmas.

 

[Punkybrewster]

If youre wondering if they will recognize each other, they wont.

Best to keep them separated.

 

[neo71665]

I'd be more worried they might have pass a bug your chickens don't have.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When chickens have been separated from their flock mates even for a few days, putting them back together causes disruption in the pecking order, and there can be problems. Another issue to consider is biosecurity. Can you be certain your sister's hens are free of lice, mites and anything else you don't want introduced to your hens? My advice would be to arrange separate living quarters for the visitors if at all possible. I'm not sure how far apart this should be, but I wouldn't put them side by side, certainly.

 

[aart]

Valid points above.
But...

I took them for her last summer and it was no problem.

Go for it then.

should I put the 2 visitors in a dog crate for a few days ?

Good to have this PlanB.

 

[funnyfoshay]

the girls are coming today...I wonder if my girls will pass something to hers? They look fine to me but still.
I may go for it and let them work it out after a brief separation. The dog crate with 2 BOs in it might be pretty cramped, being stuffed in the crate might be worse than having them chase eachother around and yell. i don't imagine anyone will get HURT.

 

[Folly's place]

Hope all goes well for them.
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

 

[funnyfoshay]

ok, that was a lot of drama. I let both cousins into our run immediately.
One of our EE and our Barred Rock who has been broody for days tried to murder their cousins.

So I put the two BOs back in the dog crate in the corner of the run. i am worried about sun tomorrow and the possum who comes and my girls reaching in and trying to rip their heads off so i tried to surround the dog crate with chicken wire and place cardboard on top for shade...

its been over an hour or so and my broody attempted murdress is back in the nesting box now, bummer i thought the drama would break her and now there are "people" in the dog crate so I can't break her.

how does this set up look and how long will they have to be in there?

 

[Mamatomany123]

ok, that was a lot of drama. I let both cousins into our run immediately.
One of our EE and our Barred Rock who has been broody for days tried to murder their cousins.

So I put the two BOs back in the dog crate in the corner of the run. i am worried about sun tomorrow and the possum who comes and my girls reaching in and trying to rip their heads off so i tried to surround the dog crate with chicken wire and place cardboard on top for shade...

its been over an hour or so and my broody attempted murdress is back in the nesting box now, bummer i thought the drama would break her and now there are "people" in the dog crate so I can't break her.

how does this set up look and how long will they have to be in there?

I think you need to find am alternative and fast. 1. That dog crate is too small for them to be in. That's not fair to them. 2. That will not protect against a possum. Again, not fair to them.
Is there a way for you to bring them back to your sisters and just check in on them? Does she have a secure run? I've left my chickens for a few days with my neighbor just checking in on them and they've been fine.