Introducing New Flock Members

[ashleyimme]

I currently have 3 chickens. I am looking to introduce 2 more. I know that I should keep them in a separate pen near the current one so that my existing flock members can see the new girls for about of week before putting them together. I know they will inevitably fight to determine the pecking order once they are introduced in the same pen.

My main concern is that one of my existing hens who was/is the top of the pecking order has a broken foot. Should I keep them separate until she’s totally healed? Or would this be better because she won’t fight as much?

Not sure the best route to take...

 

[ValerieJ]

Be sure to quarantine the new chickens away from your chickens to be sure you are not introducing a disease to your girls. I would do it for a month, but I have heard others say two weeks. Then put them in an adjacent pen for a week or two. By the time you do all that your hen will probably have healed. good luck!

 

[pennyJo1960]

I currently have 3 chickens. I am looking to introduce 2 more. I know that I should keep them in a separate pen near the current one so that my existing flock members can see the new girls for about of week before putting them together. I know they will inevitably fight to determine the pecking order once they are introduced in the same pen.

My main concern is that one of my existing hens who was/is the top of the pecking order has a broken foot. Should I keep them separate until she’s totally healed? Or would this be better because she won’t fight as much?

Not sure the best route to take...

I do agree best to keep them apart for 30 days if there is anything you will know before they are with yours

 

[Perris]

what ValerieJ said well; quarantine is essential, and your top hen will mend at the same time, so it's a win-win

 

[aart]

Will have to look at your others threads about the foot problem.

can see the new girls for about of week before putting them together

More like 2-3 weeks. Might give your bird time to heal.

How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.
Integration works best with lots of space.

Whether to quarantine is a personal decision based on tolerance for risk.
Most backyarders can't really pull off a true quarantine due to lack of space and housing. But do....
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Here's some tips about....
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.


Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @ashleyimme
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