New Member with a Question

[mckennamccaw]

I have an existing flock of 4 Rhode Island Red hens, 1 White Rock Bantam hen, and 1 buckeye rooster all six months old. I just purchased 5 nine month old bovan, which is a mix of Rhode Island white and red or so I was told. The new hens are clearly from a "factory farm"; pale waddles and combs, missing feathers, clipped beaks, etc. and I'm wondering if they should be separated for a while to regain some strength, quarantined, introduced at night vs. day, or is it not a good idea to mix them at all? I would hate for them to get picked on by the younger, healthier girls or get each other sick. Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

 

[TwoCrows]

It is always advised to quarantine new birds for 30 days to make sure they aren't carrying anything that can devastate your original flock.

When you do go to mix them all in, keep the new ones in a cage or fenced off area within the flock so that everybody sees, but nobody touches. This will allow the original flock to work out some of the pecking order from behind wire. Keep the new birds separated for several weeks. Over this time, your new birds are quarantined and the original flock is regrouping. Come mixing day, the aggression should be minimal if any at all. However always keep an eye on them for the first week and intervene if it turns bloody.

Good luck with your new flock and welcome to BYC!

 

[mckennamccaw]

Thanks for the information and for the warm welcome! I appreciate it.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 on TwoCrows advice about quarantining and introducing them slowly behind a fence, there is a nice article on integrating flocks in the Learning Center you might find useful https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Kims Coop]

Welcome!!

 

[gander007]

 

[mckennamccaw]

Thanks much!