Getting Hens for a Currently Solo Roo - Question

[tuesdaylove]

Hello BYC!

Maybe some of y'all remember when I had posted a few times late last year about finding out the gender of my solo chick. She turned out to be a he, and his name is Jamal.

I brooded three eggs in September, and only one hatched. Jamal is a standard-sized bird and right now, all of my others are bantams. A few weeks ago, his hormones kicked in and he started going after the hens, and he was accidentally hurting them since he's already outgrown them. I removed him from that flock. I've built a coop and run across the yard since I am keeping Jamal, and he's been living on his own out there.

I'm going to a chicken show next Friday to buy some standard-sized pullets or grown hens to live with Jamal. Here's where I have a question.

I have three flocks now, in three different runs. I have to have three groups because I have three roosters, and no luck re-homing any, and culling is not an option. So I have no extra space in my yard and am not able to quarantine new birds, unless I keep them in a dog crate, which would be very small for grown hens. My existing flocks are disease-free as far as I know. The chicken show I'm buying the hens from thoroughly tests the birds being sold for disease, so that only verified healthy birds are sold. In this case, is it okay to skip quarantine and put my new hens with Jamal right away? They should be the same size as him so I'm not worried about fighting or injury, only disease.

Thanks!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Well, I don't know about others, but I would go ahead and do it.

 

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

I would still do a one day introduction through the crate, just to be safe.

 

[tuesdaylove]

Thanks!

 

[rebrascora]

They cannot test for Marek's disease and it is an extremely common and very widespread virus that causes it. There is no recognised treatment for the disease and it is often fatal. Once you have it in your flock it can be dormant for months, even years and perfectly healthy looking birds can be carriers.
I brought Marek's into my flock by adding adult birds from an auction. I can tell you, it is a heart breaking disease and very easily spread.
Just something to consider.

 

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

Yes, definitly please do not skip quarantine just for the sake of time

 

[coach723]

I would not skip quarantine, just too risky in my opinion, there are so many sad stories on here from people who have rushed or skipped it. Also, you are going to need to slowly integrate them regardless. It's not unheard of for hens to attack a rooster, especially a young, obnoxious, hormonal one. Besides disease worries, you could end up with injured birds, either him or a hen. I would err on the side of caution all around as prevention is so much easier than fixing what could happen. I know it may be a logistical challenge, but I'd try to take it slow.

 

[aart]

The chicken show I'm buying the hens from thoroughly tests the birds being sold for disease,

What, exactly, does "thoroughly tested" mean?
Do they give a list of what they test for?

It's your risk to take, only you can decide.

 

[JedJackson]

You could ask if the birds you are buying have been vaccinated for Marek's and go with birds that have been vaccinated. Also younger pullets would be a better option than older hens as far as disease goes.

 

[Folly's place]

It's about your level of risk tolerance. There's no quarantine that will protect you from a Marek's carrier bird, for example.
I take biosecurity issues very seriously, and NEVER bring in birds from another flock. I either raise my own chicks, or buy hatchery chicks for safe sources.
Your boy need friends, but be very careful about where they come from.
Mary