Need advice on flock expansion

[Murphyfail]

Okay so, long story short I purchased 3 pullets to add to my single chicken.

2 of the 3 pullets were roosters so had to rehome...which is so frustrating. I'll be combining the remaining pullet with my hen here soon. They've been in the same run separated, as well as free ranging together for over a month.

My question is, should I wait before trying to add more? Will it be too big of an adjustment to combine the current pullet with my hen and then add more strangers?

 

[Debbie292d]

Since you say one is a hen and she and the pullet have seen each other for over a month, I'd go ahead and put them together and watch to make sure they'll be okay.

Once those two are fine, then I don't see any reason why you couldn't get more to add in, but are you getting chicks, or do you have a resource for getting grown hens? As if chicks, you're looking at probably at least a month or two before you could try put them together.

What breeds are yours by the way?

 

[Murphyfail]

Since you say one is a hen and she and the pullet have seen each other for over a month, I'd go ahead and put them together and watch to make sure they'll be okay.

Once those two are fine, then I don't see any reason why you couldn't get more to add in, but are you getting chicks, or do you have a resource for getting grown hens? As if chicks, you're looking at probably at least a month or two before you could try put them together.

What breeds are yours by the way?

I would be looking for laying hens.

I'm a bit jaded after my 2/3 roo to hen ratio this last go around. I don't typically do chicks because I'm concerned about ending up with roosters.

The pullet is an EE and and older hen is a Rhode Island red.

There is an individual on Craigslist who is near me and needs to rehome an australorp and cinnamon queen that are currently laying..so I am considering that. I hear cinnamon can be very broody though

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old is the pullet? That would influence what I do next.

A Cinnamon Queen is not a breed but is a cross between breeds that are not known to go broody a lot. Australorps are a breed that can be broody. This does not mean that the CQ cannot go broody, it is possible. This does not mean that the Australorp will definitely go broody. RIR's seldom go broody. EE's are not a breed or a specific cross, you never know what will happen with yours. You never know what will happen with living animals. Youi do not get guarantees either way with any of them.

When you introduce new chickens the pecking order will be reset. I like to do all of that at one time instead of spreading it out, just get it over with. But exactly how I went about that would depend on the pullet's age.

 

[Murphyfail]

How old is the pullet? That would influence what I do next.

A Cinnamon Queen is not a breed but is a cross between breeds that are not known to go broody a lot. Australorps are a breed that can be broody. This does not mean that the CQ cannot go broody, it is possible. This does not mean that the Australorp will definitely go broody. RIR's seldom go broody. EE's are not a breed or a specific cross, you never know what will happen with yours. You never know what will happen with living animals. Youi do not get guarantees either way with any of them.

When you introduce new chickens the pecking order will be reset. I like to do all of that at one time instead of spreading it out, just get it over with. But exactly how I went about that would depend on the pullet's age.

Genuinely curious, if EE and Cinnamon Queen are not considered breeds, how could I have better answered that question? Wouldn't the combination of breeds result in, a new breed?

The pullet is around 15 weeks old. I am not so much concerned about combining her with the hen but more so, combining them and then immediately bringing two new gals into the mix.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Genuinely curious, if EE and Cinnamon Queen are not considered breeds, how could I have better answered that question? Wouldn't the combination of breeds result in, a new breed?

That was a great answer, it told me what I needed to know. CQ is a marketing name. One hatchery makes theirs by crossing a Rhode Island Red rooster with a Rhode Island White hen. Another makes theirs by crossing a Rhode Island Red rooster with a Silver Laced Wyandotte hen. You wind up with a hybrid that takes on characteristics from both parents. They usually lay really well.

EE's are a lot harder to talk about. They are not a breed so they have no breed characteristics. They can be made by crossing breeds but often are not. EE generally means one of its ancestors laid a blue or green egg. Nothing more. Basically they are just a chicken.

The pullet is around 15 weeks old. I am not so much concerned about combining her with the hen but more so, combining them and then immediately bringing two new gals into the mix.

You can do it either way. She is still immature so may have trouble merging with them. She may keep her distance until she matures. Whichever way you try just pay attention. As long as the pullet is not hurt it is going well.

Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

Could you post a picture of your set up. If I wanted two more birds, was confident where these birds came from, I would take them and expect it to work.

Quarantine is a good practice, but nearly impossible to handle in a true backyard set up, and if you don't do it properly - you may as well not do it at all. However don't take anything that you feel sorry for. Do check for parasites.

Do take a look at your set up - particularly your run. Do you have a lot of clutter in the run. A lot of clutter, multiple feed bowls hidden so that a bird eating at one can't see who is eating at another bowl.

Mrs K

 

[Murphyfail]

That was a great answer, it told me what I needed to know. CQ is a marketing name. One hatchery makes theirs by crossing a Rhode Island Red rooster with a Rhode Island White hen. Another makes theirs by crossing a Rhode Island Red rooster with a Silver Laced Wyandotte hen. You wind up with a hybrid that takes on characteristics from both parents. They usually lay really well.

EE's are a lot harder to talk about. They are not a breed so they have no breed characteristics. They can be made by crossing breeds but often are not. EE generally means one of its ancestors laid a blue or green egg. Nothing more. Basically they are just a chicken.


You can do it either way. She is still immature so may have trouble merging with them. She may keep her distance until she matures. Whichever way you try just pay attention. As long as the pullet is not hurt it is going well.

Good luck!

Ah okay, I see. Thank you, that's very helpful information!

 

[Murphyfail]

Could you post a picture of your set up. If I wanted two more birds, was confident where these birds came from, I would take them and expect it to work.

Quarantine is a good practice, but nearly impossible to handle in a true backyard set up, and if you don't do it properly - you may as well not do it at all. However don't take anything that you feel sorry for. Do check for parasites.

Do take a look at your set up - particularly your run. Do you have a lot of clutter in the run. A lot of clutter, multiple feed bowls hidden so that a bird eating at one can't see who is eating at another bowl.

Mrs K

Yeah, I think what I would have to do with the two new hens is set up a dog run with a laying box that's completely separate from my current run and hen house.

I do not have clutter in the run but have been considering adding in potted rosemary for hiding spots/something fun for them to peck on. I do have two water and food setups though. I often find the hen sleeping in the pullets side of the run during the day.

I only know to check based on their poop, are there physical signs I'd be able to see immediately on inspecting them? I usually check for mites and such and then check their little booty...any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!

 

[Murphyfail]

Yeah, I think what I would have to do with the two new hens is set up a dog run with a laying box that's completely separate from my current run and hen house.

I do not have clutter in the run but have been considering adding in potted rosemary for hiding spots/something fun for them to peck on. I do have two water and food setups though. I often find the hen sleeping in the pullets side of the run during the day.

I only know to check based on their poop, are there physical signs I'd be able to see immediately on inspecting them? I usually check for mites and such and then check their little booty...any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!