Neighbors flock mingling w/ my flock

[Bennett Farms]

You can band a chicken by the leg, just cut the excess really short so even if they do peck at it they cant pull it tight. I had 3 blind birds and used zip ties to know which was which. As for introducing them, i use wire dog crates. Its a barrier between them and the older chickens. They will chill in the crate foe 2 or 3 days, letting everyone become acquainted. Also, when you let the chickens out into the coop with other chickens, do it at night when they are all going to sleep. It helps with integration.  As for the rooster, he was trying to woo your girls. Its what he does, do you plan on hatching eggs? If not, a rooster isnt really needed, but they are a blast to watch. YES you need to watch the other rooster when  you get yours. Typically if theres a substantial amount of ladies, the roosters will leave each other alone, or they may fight and only one will survive. 

 I would go over to the neighbors house and inspect their flock, and invite them to come over to your coop as well. Inspect for cleanliness and for disease. Who knows, they may have a breed you wish to breed one of your chicks with.  

The neighbors rooster is gorgeous. He has 8 hens and they are beautiful as well. My neighbors across the street have 6 ladys plus 4 new additions to their flock. They are pure free range, she has no coop at all for them so i suspect the new chicks are the neighbors kiddos. Im gonna see if I can wrangle one of the chicks from the neighbor for my flock. Im just wondering how many might be roos. It will be interesting to say the least.

I figured that he was trying to "roo" my girls. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Lost Farmer]

The neighbors rooster is gorgeous. He has 8 hens and they are beautiful as well. My neighbors across the street have 6 ladys plus 4 new additions to their flock. They are pure free range, she has no coop at all for them so i suspect the new chicks are the neighbors kiddos. Im gonna see if I can wrangle one of the chicks from the neighbor for my flock. Im just wondering how many might be roos. It will be interesting to say the least.

I figured that he was trying to "roo" my girls. Thanks for your reply.

I had 15 girls and 2 roosters, for about 3 days the roosters duked it out. After that they were fine, i had to mend a few cuts but they were good to go after those 3 days. It might be a good thing to have more than just your eyes keeping an eye on your flock as well, maybe a neighbor sees one of your flock mates limping, or being very lethargic. then can let you know or help you take care of it. You have a small chicken community, sounds like fun to me.

 

[QueenMisha]

Zip ties are not an option. I dont want anything that might be harmful to the birds.

I let the ladys out into the run Sunday. The neighbors flock was out free, and the rooster came over to the fence and started fluffing his wings and feathers. Was he trying to impress or tell them to follow him? Will he continue to do that? When I get my rooster should I keep an eye out for the other one? Or since mine are the run do I have anything to worry about?

I would like to free range mine eventually so they can stretch their wings and enjoy more of the yummy treats the yard has to offer. Not sure how thats gonna work with the other flock next door

Trust me. Zip ties have no potential to harm unless they're put on very young birds who outgrow them. I've used them on hundreds of birds and know very experienced folks who use them regularly. They're the only thing that doesn't fall off eventually besides maybe sealed metal or wing bands.

Sounds like he was dancing for them. It's a mating ritual. If you get a rooster, they will likely fight whenever free ranged. If they free range often this will probably result in one avoiding the other. If they don't they'll likely fight often, as they'll have "forgotten" each other after being separate for a few days or longer.

Unfortunately free range is all or nothing. You can try it and see how it goes, and it may very well go just fine, but if there are issues, all you can really do is lock them up or otherwise separate them from the other flock.

 

[BlueBaby]

I agree with what drumstick diva stated above. Also, the other rooster could fight with yours if you let them mingle together. I would keep mine separate from the neighbors flocks for sure.