how to introduce new chickens to your flock

[ILIKEDUCKS]

today i will be getting two new chickens but i don't know how i should introduce them especially with a chicken in my flock which chicks and advice would be appreciated.

 

[Chicken101-07]

I would first off start with at least one week of quarantine away from your flock if you haven't quarantined them already.

 

[ILIKEDUCKS]

I would first off start with at least one week of quarantine away from your flock if you haven't quarantined them already.

Ok then how do u introduce them after quaratine

 

[Chicken101-07]

Put them in a cage inside the coop for another week or 2 so the chickens already there can get used to them then let them free,they will fight but at the end they will figure their pecking order again.

 

[ILIKEDUCKS]

Put them in a cage inside the coop for another week or 2 so the chickens already there can get used to them then let them free,they will fight but at the end they will figure their pecking order again.

Ok thank you

 

[ILIKEDUCKS]

Put them in a cage inside the coop for another week or 2 so the chickens already there can get used to them then let them free,they will fight but at the end they will figure their pecking order again.

Also is there a different process for a rooster

 

[Birdielee]

Or a few young cockerels to grow them for meat?

 

[aart]

Pretty hard for a backyarder to do a truly effective biological quarantine,
it's your risk to take.
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

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/

 

[ILIKEDUCKS]

Pretty hard for a backyarder to do a truly effective biological quarantine,
it's your risk to take.
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

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/

Thank you that helped a lot