New chickens--need to know what to do...

[miss_thenorth]

Hello, yes I am a sucker... A friend of a friend had some chickens that they were going to get rid of... so yes--I brought them home.

I have them in isolation, now what do I do. What do i look for? How long before I can put them in with my other hens. One is definitely a rooster, and I think that there is a barred rock or variation that might be a roo too.I will try to post some pics.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[peepkeeper]

keep them separated for at least a few weeks. Put the newbies behind a divider so that everyone can see each other but no one can get at each other. This will prevent spread of any disease and since most communication between chickens is visual, they can work out most of their differences without anyone getting hurt. After 3-4 weeks, let them free range together. There will be kerfuffles, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Look for alertness and bright eyes. Nostrils should be clean, combs and wattles rich red. Vents should be clear without being covered with poo ( a little bit is OK). Leg scales should be clean and laying flat. When you pick the chicken up, it should feel heavy, not bony. The chicken should be interested in eating and drinking and in its surroundings.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Thanks, ... what do I feed them? Stores are closed today (Family Day)...all I have is layer pellets, cracked corn, and oats that I give my horses. Since there are roos, I'm wondering..., they should n't have the layer pellets.I can get to the store tomorrow, but for today, do I just make them some oatmeal, or what?

 

[texaschickmama]

They would be okay on the layer pellets for a day. How old are they? The roosters really can eat anything you give them as far as feed.

 

[arlee453]

Layer pellets should be fine long term, UNLESS they are less than 15 weeks old.

Good luck integrating them.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Hi, the lady I got them from wasn't really into chickens.They raise goats, and the chickens were there (in the barn) when they bought the place. I believe the one (visible) rooster is about a year old. the chickens have just reproduced on their own without any human intervention.


every now and then--when they get too many chickens they just kill them--They don't eat them, and they don't even collect the eggs. When I found out about them, I could not let them be killed, so I took some of them.

they are definitely more than 15 wks old, andf they seem in pretty good shape. I have pics but haven't uploaded them yet (need hubby to help with this.) I will probably need some help identifying them. I believe two are barred rocks,(mutts) and one of them, I think might be a rooster, there is one reddish on top half of bird, and white on bottom half. Another cream coloured one, and then the rooster is red with some black and blue on him. She just called them banty's


What I did was mix up some layer pellets, corn and oats, and set that in the cage for them. I will have pics up this evening some time.

 

[peepkeeper]

layer pellets are fine, for the rooster too. Take it easy on the corn and oats, just a little as a treat, it doesn't have much nutrtitional value so don't let them fill up on it. Sounds like you're doing fine. The chickens are lucky to have you!