New additions

[charlies]

Hi all,

We have had 2 br pullets (not yet laying) We have been given three laying girls (nearly bantam size - not sure of breed) who are laying. What Im curious about is how to intorduce the groups. We are receiving the new girls on sunday night (after capture and relocation aftre roost). How is best to intorduce to old birds and do we need to keep them in their house (as we did the first lot for a week) before letting them freeish range in large pen. Our old chooks are really timid but roost on the top most roost. Should we place the new birds on a roost when they arrive or will they chook sort themselves out. Really nervous.... please help....

 

[BrackenFarms]

it is suggested that when receiving new birds you should quarantine them for 30 to 45 days to make sure they do not have any illnesses ... if you know for sure that they do not and they are close to same size as older birds then you could put them on the roost at night so they wake up together in the morning... and after this keep a close eye on them for a couple of days... as you kow they will establish a pecking order which involves normal fighting but make sure the fighting doesnt get too vicious

 

[PortageGirl]

Hi Again Charlies! I replied on your other thread to say Welcome!, but I'll say it again!

WELCOME!

Here's yet ANOTHER link to some info about introducing new chickens to a flock. (There's already a LOT of info so sometimes it's easiest to just point people to it) https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

In fact, maybe you'll want to bookmark this whole general How-To Lots-0-info section!! https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-howto.html

Now, about your new additions, after you look over all that about adding-to-your-flock, I'm going to say something that I'm probably going to take a LOT of flak for... I've seen a lot of people totally scared by the whole thing, and while I wouldn't want people to get totally complacent, do the best you can as far as the 30 day isolation thing. We're talking 5 birds here, not a large established flock.

While every life is precious... *cough* (no MP references please!) watching these 5 is a lot easier then worrying about 30 or more. (yes I know some people prize each and every bird all the more for that, I do love em all too, but am probably much more pragmatic about it too, just me guys!! Don't shoot me!!!)

You have two, you're getting three more, either group can give the other group something they're carrying, but not necessarily showing symptoms of.

If you're getting the bantams from someone you know, observe them there for symptoms of illness. Also, if you've been in their coop or they in yours, you've already exposed your current ones to some extent unless you are following full biohazard rules. Keep in mind, the stress of moving/mixing may bring symptoms out in either.

If you can keep em separate for the full month that's great. If not (and here's the horrible heartless part) decide for yourself how long you can do it. ...keeping in mind that some diseases are pretty bad, but those are also not TOO common.

Something else you can do is call the local extension office and see what poultry diseases have been reported lately. I love my extension agent, people don't appreciate them and utilize them nearly enough IMO.

>.> most average people don't even come close to following biohazard standards, I know I don't do a good enough job of it, day to day life just interferes. I DO keep one pair of barn boots and a barn coat separate, try not to wear either to the feed store or anywhere else strange birds or even owners may be etc.. wash hands, keep things separate, but hey, I'm not great at it, people with kids at all are probably less so.

Was that too much info? I'm sorry, it's all something I've been thinking about for a while. I'm adding some chicks this spring and it's all been on my mind. Chicks are easier, but still something to think about.

 

[PortageGirl]

Me again!!

Brackenfarms said it all really well... I overdid I think!

You just have to weigh any risk you take.

 

[cmom]

Any new birds I quarantine for at least a month before I introduce them to each other. I put them in adjacent runs for awhile so they can get used to seeing each other after I take them out of quarantine.