Get More Chickens?

[Eepster]

Hi all. I currently have 15 hens and 1 rooster. A lady came to our church and wanted to give me some chickens. It sounded like she didn't know anything about chickens, and she even said it. She wanted to give me 3 Rhode Island Reds (she suspected one was a roo) and 3 bantams. I have large breeds right now and am worried how the bantams would mix with my chickens. I have also just gone from 30 chickens to 16 because I'm trying to downsize for the winter. She doesn't know a lot about chickens so they could all be Roos. I tould her that I would get back to her by next Sunday. My dad said I shouldn't get them. Any Advice?

 

[welasharon]

I would say NOOOOO. You don't know if they have any diseases. Stick with what you have and slowly add as you get ready to picking the breeds you want.

 

[chicksurreal]

I have made it a hard and fast rule to never take chickens from anyone that I don't know personally and know how they treat their animals or what is going on with them health wise.

I've seen way too many horror stories on here where a person's entire flock gets wiped out by bringing an unknown into the mix. It's sad because there are so many chickens that need rehoming, but I won't risk my existing flock. That's just me though...

 

[Folly's place]

I agree completely! Take care of the birds you have. I never take in outside birds. Mary

 

[Eepster]

Yeah I have never taken birds from someone before. I have only sold them and bought chicks.