I'd like to add to my little flock...can I do it one at a time?

[ksukristin]

Hey I was hoping to get some advice from y'all- I currently have two lovely BO gals and I want to get 1-2 more birds. If I'm getting chicks, should I get 2 at a time, or is it possible to just get one? I know it will need to be raised separately from the adult birds until they are ready to be properly introduced...but if I just get one will she be lonely? (I'm currently raising a single quail and I put a stuffed animal in the brooder so he/she wouldn't feel alone...and he/she always cuddles with the stuffed animal! it's adorable but also sad...)

I'm of course, leaning towards two, but I can just see my DB/F's face now when he sees that I have more birds!

any experience/stories/advice would be greatly appreciated-

Thanks!

 

[chixie]

my opinion is to get at least two... they get lonely

 

[Happy Chooks]

From what I've read here, if you only get 1, then when you integrate it with the older ones, they will gang up on the little one. It's best to have more than 1 so the abuse is spread out as they try to find their spot in the pecking order. So it's not just focused on 1 bird.

 

[poupoule]

I agree with new2chooks. It will be easier to introduce them to the flock if there are two.

Also I bought 2 one day old chicks last year. One drown in his water the first night. The other one was chirping so much; it was awful

and I ended up bying 6 more!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

After adding to my flock over the spring and summer, I would definitely do it in groups of two or more. I did and all my girls have at least one girlfriend to hang out with.

 

[faykokoWV]

also, if you are buying any birds you will need to put them in a thirty day isolation to prevent spread of illness. Having at least two in the isolation will make them happier.