new girls are here!

[Leah S]

I have a flock of 7 girls, 18 months to a little over a year. Monday I got 4 15 month Dominiques. they seem to be doing well and adjusting to their new home. I have them in a separate area, runs along the coop separated by some chicken wire. what are your suggestions on how long they should be separate? The new girls look healthy and act it, is there any way to make sure they are not carrying anything that may get my original girls sick? and, I have never started with fully grown birds. how long should they stay in the pen before able to free range?
I know, many questions, I thank you!!
Leah S

 

[Den in Penn]

Quarantine usually goes 30 days. It is also a time of total separation so no air born disease is passed to the old flock. The period of introduction when they are quartered next to each other. is at least one week. After that if you free range you can let them range together. You'll see them mostly in the groups of old and new for a while. Putting birds in a new home a week is the minimum time to be sure they have accepted their new home and will return to it.

 

[Leah S]

thanks a bunch. think i am going to clip their wings today and set up a temp. run for them. think they would like to stretch their wings and legs a bit!

 

[Leah S]

guess I still have questions. is there anything specific I should be watching for in the new birds? or just an overall assessment of their health?

 

[Den in Penn]

During quarantine you check for parasites and watch for ANY signs of ill lhealth. Some have a policy of treating for worms, lice and mites during this period.