Introducing new chickens/rooster/ and guineas......newbie questions

[Carchick]

Hello everybody,

I have 3 guineas and 1 hen.....I had 2 more hens but they were killed by a dog over a year ago. I brought home 1 rooster and 2 hens yesterday and have them separated from the 4 other birds. They're in the coop but divided by chicken netting so everyone can check each other out. When can I merge them all together? Is there anything I need to do before they merge? I bought the rooster for the just the beauty of roosters and also because I love to hear them crow. I don't want anymore chicks so what do I need to do? Would I just take the eggs that a mama is laying on? Are those safe to eat since I don't want to eat eggs that have a chick growing in them. I'm also hoping that my one lone hen from my previous flock will enjoy having company that are just like her instead of the guineas who seem to pick on her from time to time. Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[Dzzzyd]

Just collect your eggs daily and you won'r have chicks. Even if he tries to "fertilize" your hens your eggs are fine to eat as long as you keep collecting them daily. One day you might change your mind and want chicks you never know and then he's there. I would really like a roo to listen to myself, but can't in town with neighbors that would complain. Boo Hoo.. I am sure your hen will enjoy the company. They will probably all be fine together. Good luck.

 

[Carchick]

Good, I'm really glad that we'll still be able to eat the eggs as long as we collect them daily. Do you about how long I should keep the flocks separated? I keep the birds (all adult) in a holding pen in the coop (it has the poultry netting) so they can see each other and talk. Is there a certain time to merge for instance a few days, weeks, etc?? Thanks!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Did you quarantine them or are they all in the same pen? You should ALWAYS quarantine new birds away from the established flock.
Usually a few weeks is good, but if she's been chickenbuddyless for so long, it may not be that long for your singleton...does she seem curious about the other ones?
Grrrr...hit that reply button too soon...
You should also put them all together at night, because they'll be asleep and relatively docile.

 

[Carchick]

Yes, they are quarantined away from the other hen and the 3 guineas. They do see each other all the time since the new birds are in the same coop but still separated by using the netting. The hen is definetely interested in them since she now spends a bunch of time in the coop looking at them but it's just my guineas I'm worried about. I don't want them bullying the new birds.