Do I really need to quarantine?

[CSAchook]

She doesn't like the new hens

She is just feeling threatened. Things will get better over time. Follow aart’s integration advice and hang in there! It will work out!

 

[h2oratt]

These birds are a year old. Not sure how anyone can avoid that if they're introducing new chickens?

I agree.

 

[Mrs. K]

After a couple days, new ones in one set up, original hen in her set up, you might switch them around. It may sound crazy, but it seems to help the old birds see the new birds in her set up. Also it gives the new birds sometime to explore the new set up, find the escapes and hideouts with out being pursued while they do it. Kind of reduces the territorial position.

Thing is, the next introduction will go easier, and really I would do it all at once. Add all three groups, together. You will get some posturing, and maybe a little fly up and fluff. But the new birds will be strangers to everyone, and being there is some many strangeness around, it spreads the fighting out...

You don't need to stop the posturing or fluffing up, or even flying at each other, but you need to have escapes, and hideouts so birds can get away from each other, and so that you don't get a single victim that all are attacking.

MRs K

 

[ehoneybee]

After a couple days, new ones in one set up, original hen in her set up, you might switch them around. It may sound crazy, but it seems to help the old birds see the new birds in her set up. Also it gives the new birds sometime to explore the new set up, find the escapes and hideouts with out being pursued while they do it. Kind of reduces the territorial position.

Thing is, the next introduction will go easier, and really I would do it all at once. Add all three groups, together. You will get some posturing, and maybe a little fly up and fluff. But the new birds will be strangers to everyone, and being there is some many strangeness around, it spreads the fighting out...

You don't need to stop the posturing or fluffing up, or even flying at each other, but you need to have escapes, and hideouts so birds can get away from each other, and so that you don't get a single victim that all are attacking.

MRs K

I like this idea but I was leaning toward "quarantining" them for the week per some suggestions on here. The birds look healthy, eyes, feet, eating and drinking, normal poop, and the woman who took care of them had a nice setup...

 

[aart]

Yes I did. They're out and shes ignoring or running at them. She's not hurting them

As long as she is not pinning them down and beating them bloody, just let them work out.

I like this idea but I was leaning toward "quarantining" them for the week per some suggestions on here. The birds look healthy, eyes, feet, eating and drinking, normal poop, and the woman who took care of them had a nice setup...

True quarantine is now moot as they have already had physical contact:
Considering biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

 

[ehoneybee]

As long as she is not pinning them down and beating them bloody, just let them work out.

True quarantine is now moot as they have already had physical contact:
Considering biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

I guess that's true. Even though she hasn't touched any of them just runs at them. But, yeah, I'm being pretty lose about it.

 

[Mrs. K]

Aart - I am not positive, but I think the plan is to add another batch of new birds, so she would have 1 original bird, the couple that she is playing with now, and then adding the third batch.

True quarantine is difficult for most people in the hobby aspect. As I said earlier, you are risking a couple of birds, not a huge financial responsibility. If one has a quality flock or a large commercial flock, I would be insanely crazy about quarantine or may not add new birds.

But with my hobby... close enough. It is a risk, but quarantine is NOT like hand grenades or horse shoes, you either do it right, or you are pretending to do it, and really may as not do it all. Most people do not have the 300 feet separation required. Let alone changing clothes each time.

Mrs k

 

[ehoneybee]

Just coming back to update that all 4 girls are in the same coop tonight. They had a breakthrough this afternoon while free ranging and everyone got figured out. Our resident hen went in with the rest in their coop this evening so that made us happy she has accepted the crew as her family

 

[aart]

Great update!
It's funny how everything is chaotic one minute,
then seemingly all of a sudden.....it's all cool.

 

[Mrs. K]

a good feeling, now you can enjoy your flock.