Doppleganger!

[Hairydadrock]

Having just lost one of my long time ladies gwennie,she was a white Sussex,has anyone tried to replace a bird with an identical match without going through the integration process? Would it work? Am I daft? My local breeder is having a final sale this weekend and has some Sussex going cheep!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can always try. Sometimes it works to just out them together, even if they look totally different. Having a lot of room helps. But be prepared to go through an integration process if you try. Sometimes it does not work even if they look identical. You may not be able to tell the difference but they can.

 

[nchls school]

It won't work. Two ways of making integration easier are: get a new bird as young as possible (within reason). A young bird is often accepted faster than an older one. Better, is to put the new bird in a cage where it can interact with the flock for a week or so before releasing it into the flock. There will be bullying, but it's usually less.

 

[Isadora]

Chickens will know the difference between the birds. Being the same color or pattern won't fool them.

 

[LaFleche]

Whatever you decide, don't forget to quarantine the new one for at least 3 better 4 weeks.