Merging 2 established flocks!?

[Rsmith613]

I have an established flock of 6 month old silver laced wyandottes (13) and my cousin is taking a job in south Texas, so I am inheriting her flock of chickens (number she'll bring, unknown, but guessing at least 8) these chickens are no certain breed, they've all inter-bread. But- these chickens are full grown!!!

How can I prepare for this transition? Is the process still pretty much the same? Thank you!

 

[peterlund]

Introduce at dusk or night..... and ignore the "pecking order" squabbling in the morning. They will do fine. Your 6 month olds are full sized, but will probably have to wait a while to gain any dominance. ..
Good luck. You are an official chicken surrogate.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Are you set up to do a proper quarantine?
Too much risk for me. I will never add adult chickens to my flock. Day olds only here.

Good luck

Gary

 

[peterlund]

Oh... and don't be frightened about bugs, dirt, disease etc.... if it was so prevalent and deadly there would be no chickens.... let alone people. I assume your adoptees are from a healthy flock seeing you know the source intimately.
Remember..... chickens will poop in their food and water. ..... and live!

 

[Flaisure]

I need help.... I keep trying to merge my babies in with my 5 older hens. I have 3 that are sooo mean to them. Literally ripping feathers out of them. I've tried everything. Please help

 

[peterlund]

I need help.... I keep trying to merge my babies in with my 5 older hens. I have 3 that are sooo mean to them. Literally ripping feathers out of them. I've tried everything. Please help

Don't put small chickens in with big ones. Age isn't quite the issue, but a smaller sized chicken will just be tortured by its "playmates".... wait til they are about the same general size, but be prepared for a pecking order squabble. Is your coop and run of a size to accommodate the bigger flock?

 

[Flaisure]

Don't put small chickens in with big ones. Age isn't quite the issue, but a smaller sized chicken will just be tortured by its "playmates".... wait til they are about the same general size, but be prepared for a pecking order squabble. Is your coop and run of a size to accommodate the bigger flock?

I know I said babies but they are almost 18 weeks most of them are the same size. I have 2 coops and a huge run.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Oh... and don't be frightened about bugs, dirt, disease etc.... if it was so prevalent and deadly there would be no chickens.... let alone people. I assume your adoptees are from a healthy flock seeing you know the source intimately.
Remember..... chickens will poop in their food and water. ..... and live!

That's horrible advice.
These threads are crawling with horror stories about bring in problems with adult birds.

Gary

 

[peterlund]

I know I said babies but they are almost 18 weeks most of them are the same size. I have 2 coops and a huge run.

If they were of laying age they would be better off. But give them a few days, and things should settle down. Hard to watch a younger bird be pecked at i admit, but i liken it to jr. High.... inhumane, but a rite of passage.
Good luck. Just make sure they got space to run..... in the run.

 

[peterlund]

That's horrible advice.
These threads are crawling with horror stories about bring in problems with adult birds.

Gary

Horrible advice? I've been doing this stuff for a long time.
Sorry you don't agree.
But i personally don't make a big deal about something that should be a small deal.
If i could remember 1 issue i had with the hundreds of birds i have raised, sold , taken in, then i would give your comment merit.... but i cannot think of ONE issue.
Gnite.