Combining flocks

[fisho]

Hi all,

I've just finished building my coop and run and am getting 3 RIR hens that are about 1 yr old from a friend and 2 Wyandottes that are only 10 - 12 weeks old from family.

My question is being both are being introduced to a new home should I combine them both from the start or separate and slowly introduce both breeds/flocks?

Thanks in advance

 

[lazy gardener]

Best practice is to quarantine the birds from each other for a month. That means separate housing, preferably on opposite ends of your yard, or at least 50' apart, no shared equipment, change of shoes/clothing before moving from one flock to an other. As you can see, this is a daunting task for the average flockster. If it can't be done right, one wonders if it's worth doing at all. You do run a risk by combining birds from 2 different flocks. The younger birds will be at risk of "the pecking order." If at all possible, you could get them first, and give them a week to acclimate, before adding the RIR. That way the Wyandottes will have the home court advantage.