Introducing new birds

[15shenyl]

I want to know if I can introduce new chickens to the flock I already have. If I bring in new chickens, what are possibilities that could happen. Also, 4 of my chickens will be at the fair for a week, will the chickens remember the ones I will take away and be fine, or will they not let them back into the flock.

 

[AlecsMills]

I've introduced new chickens to my flock and did have a couple problems, but that was mainly from the pecking order. Some hens that are at the top of the pecking order will try to maintain that and attack the new chickens to put them in place. Best thing I found was supervising the chickens for a little bit and if the aggressive ones wouldn't stop attacking them, I'd remove the aggressive hens. Keep them separated for a couple days then introduce one aggressive hen at a time so their attitudes have changed. But mostly with some supervision... I haven't had many problems. As for the ones that are being taken away for a week, I've taken some of my chickens away for a month and returned them and it only took a couple hours before everything was back to normal. Guess it really depends on the chicken?

 

[cluckcluckluke]

everything should be fine in a bout a week or so. Every one says to put the new ones in a seperate run for 1-2 weeks right next to you original flock, so that they dont touch each other. But i got 4 new chickens and put them straight in they where fine appart from the pecking order. Also i found that the chickens in the original flock that are at the bottom of the pecking order are more aggressive to new commers because they want to show that they arnt at the bottom any longer, so you may want to remove them for a couple days. And as AlecsMils said before it all depends on the chickens, just keep an eye on them. You should be fine

 

[15shenyl]

Ok, good. I was really worried about bringing the chickens home from the fair and if I ever want to add more chickens to the flock.

 

[Judy]

You should always quarantine new birds -- and it's not a bad idea to quarantine after taking some to a fair or show, particularly if you see any sign of a respiratory illness such as sneezing, runny noses or eyes, coughing, congestion, etc. Also watch for parasites: raised leg scales, tiny bugs or eggs at feather bases, especially around the vent or under wings.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/12751/urgent-reminder-please-quarantine-newly-acquired-birds

 

[15shenyl]

I will. A vet comes to look at all the animals before and after the show, but you may never know what they have.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

As flockwatcher suggested it's always a good idea to quarantine any new arrivals to your home. That would be a period of 30 days to watch for signs of any illnesses.

I've introduced 'newer' plus younger chickens into the existing flock on several occasions and really didn't have much of a problem other than the regular pecking order. Adding to what cluckcluckluke said on the chickens which are the lowest on the pecking order. I had three barred rocks which I introduced into my flock a month ago and they were the lowest on the pecking order. I found them to be the most aggressive of them all when I added more into my flock. You'd think they would remember how they felt being low on the totem pole! They didn't!