How to chose new chickens to add to flock?

[Pando]

Hi all,

I have recently lost one of 3 Belgian d'uccle ladies. So the 2 i have remaining, Hilda and Nancy are really very placid but I don't feel 2 is enough. So I am hoping to add 2 additional chickens. I was just hoping there would be some breed or variety that would fit with my crew with the least amount of fuss. I like bantams and am not fussed on egg laying. I just really want a cohesive happy flock and don't want to cause undue stress to my current girls.

Sorry for the essay! I'm quite new to chickens and want to do right by the girls.

 

[LaFleche]

Sorry you lost 3 hens. What was the reason if you don't mind me asking?

There are quite a lot of cute bantam breeds to choose from, in case you do not want to add more Belgian D'Uccles.

But whatever you choose, make sure to quarantine properly for 4 weeks prior to adding them.

 

[Pando]

Thanks for your reply. I only lost the one little lady, she had some kind tumour apparently. Quite a few trips to the vet but we couldn't figure out why she was struggling until we lost her.

I wouldn't mind more d'uccle's they are wee cuties. But wouldn't mind mixing it up a bit.

So 4 weeks is recommended. Is there any way to smooth the transition of new hens into the coop?

Thanks again!

 

[Aapomp831]

Thanks for your reply. I only lost the one little lady, she had some kind tumour apparently. Quite a few trips to the vet but we couldn't figure out why she was struggling until we lost her.

I wouldn't mind more d'uccle's they are wee cuties. But wouldn't mind mixing it up a bit.

So 4 weeks is recommended. Is there any way to smooth the transition of new hens into the coop?

Thanks again!

Most people, including myself, use the “see but can’t touch” method by putting up a partition. They get used to each other through the partition so integration day is a little easier bc there’s som familiarity.

 

[aart]

Most people, including myself, use the “see but can’t touch” method by putting up a partition. They get used to each other through the partition so integration day is a little easier bc there’s som familiarity.

This^^

Space is key, how big is your coop and run @Pando ?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Pando]

Thank you so much! I really just want everyone to be nice to each other and for it to be a magical and kind experience but I feel that is wishful thinking!

I don't have any photos at present and don't know the dimensions, I'll get onto that tomorrow. I'm wanting to get bantams to save space and they're cute. And I was hoping all being the same size would prevent anyone being too unevenly matched.

Thanks for the information! It's an exciting and scary prospect

 

[3KillerBs]

I can't advise you in re: breeds because I know very little about bantams, but here are some excellent articles on integration that I read before doing my own flock addition recently.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

And here is my thread documenting the integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/integrating-the-splits-documenting-the-process.1469700/

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sorry for the essay!

Don't apologize for that. To anyone serious about answering a question it's a lot better to have more information than less. That's one of the challenges on here, trying to find out what the question actually is and what your criteria is.

I was just hoping there would be some breed or variety that would fit with my crew with the least amount of fuss.

I don't put much faith in the breed defining behaviors. I find that each chicken has it's own personality regardless of breed. While breeds do have tendencies you have to have enough of them for averages to mean much. You'll find brutes and bullies in any breed. And you'll find well-behaved chickens in any breed.

I like bantams and am not fussed on egg laying. I just really want a cohesive happy flock and don't want to cause undue stress to my current girls.

Belgian d'uccle's are tiny. I don't know what your coop and run look like but your statement that you want bantams to save space makes me think you don't have a lot.

Some people say they have issues in integration when they try to integrate chicks that have strange features. Chicks like Polish that have the head-dresses may get those feathers pecked and pulled. Maybe avoid that type. Silkies can't fly which may create issues with nesting and roosting. Some of that may depend on how your coop and run are set up. Your Belgian d'uccle's should have muffs and feathered legs but that is unlikely to be an issue. Many people are OK integrating chickens with "strange features" but some report problems.

Not all bantams are the same size either. Usually I wouldn't be too worried about that size difference but in your case I get the feeling you'll be happier if they are smaller. While any bantam would likely work out, even the "strange-featured" bantams, you might want to look at Sebrights if you can get those if you decide against more Belgian d'uccle's. Sebrights are also tiny and quite stunning. I don't think you will get much better eye candy than mixing Sebrights with D'uccles.

I don't know if you can get sexed baby bantam chicks in Australia, most hatcheries in the States do not offer sexed bantams. To be assured of girls that means you have to get older pullets or hens. Pay attention to Aart's suggestions on how to integrate. I think you'll find it easier to integrate them if they are all laying, you can have issues if one group is not laying and another is. It's about maturity, not size or age. If none of them are laying that may work out better than if one group is and the other isn't. Try to match them in maturity level if you can.

You will have two of each. Good. It's usually easier if you have more than one in either group.

Often integration is easier than we make it sound. All these suggestions are to help improve your odds of success. If you have patience you'll probably do OK. Good luck!

 

[Pando]

Amazing! Thanks so so much!

These are the dimensions of their wee house. I have built an extension to the run but they aren't out there every day.

House H1.8- W1.5- D1.5
Run H1.8- W1.5 D-1.5

They also have a chook tractor for some additional excitement in their days. I really want happy little chooks. So don't want to over crowd.

And we're moving back to the city in 10 months so I am trying to be conscious of not getting too big.

I googled the Seabrights! They're are gorgeous. I'll do some research on local breeders and see what I can locate.

I'm a bit nervous about the whole process so thanks everyone for helping! All this info is making me feel much more confident. Well a bit more confident. I'm so glad I found this forum!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your coop is big enough for 4 but the run is the same size as the coop? That could be an issue as integration takes time AND space.

Also if you're planning on moving soon, realistically, will you be able to provide enough space for 4 birds when you move?

Make sure to read all the pointers on aart's response above. Lack of extra space means it'll be harder to add clutter, harder to add feeders/place them far enough apart, etc. to help them get through integration smoothly.