Introducing new flock to lone Silkie- question

[member 615286]

I am considering introducing 2 (7-9 month) vaccinated Easter eggers to my lone mareks infected Silkie survivor (10 months). It would remain a closed flock.
I understand time is needed with the new hens in proximity to the Silkie before sharing the run.
Am I correct then assuming they would need to sleep in a separate coop during this time?

Any other thoughts on this are appreciated thank you.
Thank you

 

[swamphiker]

Do you have plans to quarantine the new chickens? You'll want to be sure you aren't introducing any new diseases to your silkie.

Here are some helpful articles about integrating new chickens:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/see-no-touch-integration.75751/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

Personally I like the see but don't touch method.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I understand time is needed with the new hens in proximity to the Silkie before sharing the run.
Am I correct then assuming they would need to sleep in a separate coop during this time?

Your goal in the "see but don't touch" phase of the integration is for them to get familiar with each other without being able to attack each other, either day or night. If it is dark they won't see and attack each other but read "night" to mean either as they are going to bed or when they wake up. That could be separate pens outside where they are across from wire or it could be a separate pen inside your coop. A lot of that depends on what your facilities look like and how easy this is to do. Inside your coop could mean good predator protection or you can do that in the run. There is never one answer that fits all of us.

With only three chickens like that I'd be tempted to skip the see but don't touch phase. Introduce them during the day when you can be around to observe and see how they react. Sometimes it can be that easy. Certainly have a place where you can isolate them if you need to, that need can come up pretty quickly. But often you don't have to keep them separated first, they can work it out.

 

[member 615286]

Your goal in the "see but don't touch" phase of the integration is for them to get familiar with each other without being able to attack each other, either day or night. If it is dark they won't see and attack each other but read "night" to mean either as they are going to bed or when they wake up. That could be separate pens outside where they are across from wire or it could be a separate pen inside your coop. A lot of that depends on what your facilities look like and how easy this is to do. Inside your coop could mean good predator protection or you can do that in the run. There is never one answer that fits all of us.

With only three chickens like that I'd be tempted to skip the see but don't touch phase. Introduce them during the day when you can be around to observe and see how they react. Sometimes it can be that easy. Certainly have a place where you can isolate them if you need to, that need can come up pretty quickly. But often you don't have to keep them separated first, they can work it out.

Super helpful thank you. If she and the newbies are supervised and do fine during the day, there isn’t any reason to be concerned there will be a problem in the coop when they go in for the night, is my understanding correct ? Thanks again

 

[rosemarythyme]

Super helpful thank you. If she and the newbies are supervised and do fine during the day, there isn’t any reason to be concerned there will be a problem in the coop when they go in for the night, is my understanding correct ? Thanks again

After 1 day? Maybe yes, maybe no. Resident birds can be very protective/possessive about their sleeping area, so while they might be ok outside with new birds they may not allow them to use the roost with them.

Conversely some birds may accept newcomers with little fuss. Silkies are fairly docile so that helps.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If she and the newbies are supervised and do fine during the day, there isn’t any reason to be concerned there will be a problem in the coop when they go in for the night, is my understanding correct ?

If the coop is dark enough that they can't see to attack nothing should happen. The danger times are before it gets dark or when they wake up in the morning. You probably have a lot more room outside than in. The more room they have the better. It's easier for one to get away if things go bad. It's less annoying if they are not crowded tightly together in each others personal space.

If they can co-exist during the day when they have the entire space of the coop plus run available you can try putting them together at night. Just be down there around daylight when they first wake up to see how it's going.

 

[member 615286]

If the coop is dark enough that they can't see to attack nothing should happen. The danger times are before it gets dark or when they wake up in the morning. You probably have a lot more room outside than in. The more room they have the better. It's easier for one to get away if things go bad. It's less annoying if they are not crowded tightly together in each others personal space.

If they can co-exist during the day when they have the entire space of the coop plus run available you can try putting them together at night. Just be down there around daylight when they first wake up to see how it's going.

Thank you !
The coop is 10 square feet. And would be housing 1 Silkie and the addition of 2 standard Easter eggers (9 months). They appear to be my only option this time of year and where I am located.

 

[member 615286]

I am considering introducing 2 (7-9 month) vaccinated Easter eggers to my lone mareks infected Silkie survivor (10 months). It would remain a closed flock.
I understand time is needed with the new hens in proximity to the Silkie before sharing the run.
Am I correct then assuming they would need to sleep in a separate coop during this time?

Any other thoughts on this are appreciated thank you.
Thank you

Update, adding 2 chicks, how soon can they join her the Silkie appears miserable.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/adding-chicks-to-single-solo-silkie.1507025/

 

[Ridgerunner]

In your situation I would not worry about quarantine. It hurts to say that but I think you have other considerations.

I would immediately put them across wire from her. House them in a look but don't touch situation starting now. That could be in the coop or in the run as long as it is predator safe and you are OK with weather. Just having them nearby may calm her tremendously.

That coop is pretty small for integration but you can just turn them loose immediately when you can observe. It could work, especially if the run is available. "This" might possibly happen, that "can" happen, but what counts is what does happen. I think you need to make your decisions based on what you see, not from worry about what you might see. You might see something bad so have a plan, you might need it, but I'd probably give it a try.

 

[member 615286]

In your situation I would not worry about quarantine. It hurts to say that but I think you have other considerations.

I would immediately put them across wire from her. House them in a look but don't touch situation starting now. That could be in the coop or in the run as long as it is predator safe and you are OK with weather. Just having them nearby may calm her tremendously.

That coop is pretty small for integration but you can just turn them loose immediately when you can observe. It could work, especially if the run is available. "This" might possibly happen, that "can" happen, but what counts is what does happen. I think you need to make your decisions based on what you see, not from worry about what you might see. You might see something bad so have a plan, you might need it, but I'd probably give it a try.

Any additional thoughts re:behavior to look out for? Thanks for all
The help ridgerunner!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/adding-chicks-to-a-solo-hen-a-few-questions.1509573/