Keeping flocks separate

[HesitantKarma]

I'm renting the second floor of a barn on a farm that has a flock of chickens and a rooster. They free range part of every day. My apartment has a small fenced area, and I'm getting my own little flock of 7 or 8, no rooster. I suspect the fence will not contain them, no matter how much I try. So my question is, will my chickens join the existing flock? Is it possible to keep two separate flocks even if they sometimes come across each other while free ranging?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings, HesitantKarma, and

! Pleased you joined us! It will be a challenge to keep the flocks apart - and potentially unhealthy for them to mingle - the transfer of diseases, etc. With a rooster involved thee WILL be mingling! There are options to keeping them contained - clipping the flight feathers from one wing for instance. Also, installing a better fence if that's an option. Is your neighbor okay with them mingling?

 

[redsoxs]

Oh, and I notice this is your first BYC post. If you'd like pop one over to the New Member Introduction Forum and start a new thread about yourself so we can give you a proper BYC welcome! Here's the link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/44/new-member-introductions

 

[aart]

I'm renting the second floor of a barn on a farm that has a flock of chickens and a rooster. They free range part of every day. My apartment has a small fenced area, and I'm getting my own little flock of 7 or 8, no rooster. I suspect the fence will not contain them, no matter how much I try.

So my question is, will my chickens join the existing flock? Is it possible to keep two separate flocks even if they sometimes come across each other while free ranging?

I'd be hesitant....haha!
Welcome to BYC!

Flocks will mingle unless you keep them separate in a secure coop and run with a mesh roof.

What are your long term plans?
Curious too about what your resident landlord thinks.

 

[Mrs. K]

Without knowing your dimension, I wonder what you mean by small. 7-8 hens would take up a fair amount of space. Plus, can't you get eggs from the flock the landlord has? Space is VERY important for healthy happy chickens.

I don't think it will work well. I think that the birds you get will join the other flock. Maybe not at first, but it will be very difficult to keep them separated over the long term. From the wink, (I may be misinterpreting this) but I think you plan on free ranging with his birds. He may not be happy about this, as a new flock can bring in parasites and diseases. People can be very particular about this.

I think it would be easier, to get some experience with the established flock, do some chores, buy a bit of feed once in a while, in exchange for some eggs.

Mrs K

 

[HesitantKarma]

The landlord is totally fine with them mingling, and I can definitely get eggs from theirs. It's a small farm with several houses and apartments, almost like a commune of sorts. I just WANT my own, I had a small flock before.
They'll have plenty of space. Their coop is recommended for 15 chickens, which of course is always an inflated number, so I'm only getting 7 or 8. There's plenty of room in it for that many, especially since it's only for sleeping and laying. There's a run attached that I plan on using when I'm gone overnight, or circumstances like that. The coop and run are inside of a fenced yard that I would guess is about a quarter acre.
It isn't that I don't want them mingling, I just don't want mine to abandon me and go live with the others if I can avoid it.
The winky face was because chickens rarely seem to do what we want, like staying inside a fence.

 

[aart]

The landlord is totally fine with them mingling, and I can definitely get eggs from theirs. It's a small farm with several houses and apartments, almost like a commune of sorts. I just WANT my own, I had a small flock before.
They'll have plenty of space. Their coop is recommended for 15 chickens, which of course is always an inflated number, so I'm only getting 7 or 8. There's plenty of room in it for that many, especially since it's only for sleeping and laying. There's a run attached that I plan on using when I'm gone overnight, or circumstances like that. The coop and run are inside of a fenced yard that I would guess is about a quarter acre.
It isn't that I don't want them mingling, I just don't want mine to abandon me and go live with the others if I can avoid it.
The winky face was because chickens rarely seem to do what we want, like staying inside a fence.

Put a roof on the fence....and they'll have to stay ;-)

You may have to keep them confined most the time to keep the 'homed' to their coop.
If they start to roost anywhere else, confine them 24/7 for a week or so.