Introducing New Chicken??

[bnmenard15]

I've recently just got a chicken off of Craigslist from a lady who seemed nice but also sketchy, she went into the back of her property and brought out two Olive Eggers. After we left I was holding her and noticed that her crop was thick and tough making me think that they are not given grit. Anyway I was wondering when I should be able to add her to my flock? She is a barnyard chick, not one from the store that has had vaccines. All ten of my chicks of my current flock were all from the store so could she have diseases that they don't? Is there anything i can give her and my flock to help them be immune to these diseases? Thanks, Sorry if there are too many questions. I'm new to chickens and kind of freaking out. By the way, she has been in quarintine for a day so far, looks healthy, just skiddish.

 

[teach1rusl]

Live and learn. I would 1) never recommend just adding one bird to an existing flock and 2) if she didn't want you to see where the bird came from, there must be a reason...

Yes, definitely quarantine the new bird for a few weeks if possible. Of course check her over closely for lice/mites, but the things you should most worry about aren't those kinds of bugs.

After quarantine period is over, unless you free range, you'll want wire off a section of the current run so that your flock can see her and she see them through the safety of wire. Chickens are usually terrible to newbies. The more space they have, the better her chances are of integrating without being beat up... good luck!