New Girls

spicewood chick

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Hi
I'm getting two new girls to add to my flock from a reputable breeder but should I quarantine them before adding them to my existing girls? If so how long should I keep them quarintined?
 
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

After quarantine Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.


This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
 
Thank you, my coop needs to be expanded this fall when its cooler outside but I'm not sure temporarily if I can create two meshed off spaces to have them separated but together.
 
Thank you, my coop needs to be expanded this fall when its cooler outside but I'm not sure temporarily if I can create two meshed off spaces to have them separated but together.
They need to be separated and not close together. Set up a pen in the garage, front yard or a side yard well away from the other flock. Practice bio security. Tend to the older ones first and then the new ones. Wash hands in between and if possible change shoes.
During quarantine, worm them and treat them for lice and mites.

Two to four weeks with the longer time preferred. You need to watch them to make sure they do not show symptoms of illness during that time.

I have seen a lot of posts from people that infected or infested their flock by not quarantining correctly
 
Ok i have the two new girls in a large wire dog crate for now with two feeding bowls and water and its bumped up to my run so they can get to know the other girls a little but my new americauna is constantly attacking my new red and keeping her pushing into the corner. WTH will she stop or do I need to separate the as well and does this mean the americauna will be mean or is she trying to be the dominant. So new to this
 
Ok i have the two new girls in a large wire dog crate for now with two feeding bowls and water and its bumped up to my run so they can get to know the other girls a little but my new americauna is constantly attacking my new red and keeping her pushing into the corner. WTH will she stop or do I need to separate the as well and does this mean the americauna will be mean or is she trying to be the dominant. So new to this
I do not worry about that kind of stuff unless there is blood. If so, then separate them until tonight and then put them back in the darkness. If it is just cowering in the corner, then that will stop in a couple of days.

Hoping for the best!
 

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