New to raising chickens. I have 4 2 moths old chicks and a friend just asked me if I wanted 4 chickens that are just starting to lay. Should I?

[Debbiebs1b]

New to raising chickens. I have (4) 2 months old chicks and a friend just asked me if I wanted 4 chickens that are just starting to lay. I have a 4 x 8 hen house with 2 nesting boxes inside, and 2 perches. The run is 11 x 16. Wondering if I should get them and if so how do I incorporate them with the 2 month olds?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Debbie, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I'd replace the chicken wire with hardware cloth and extend it out about 2' to form a predator apron.
The amount of space you have is enough for 8 birds.
You should quarantine the older birds for 30 days before beginning integration into your flock.

 

[Boppo]

Glad to meet you, Debbie. What a nice friend. What are the dimensions of your coop and pen? They don't look that big from the pictures. Look very nice, though. But 8 chickens will need more space. Also, you will need to quarantine the new hens for 2 months to be sure they are not bringing in some disease that would kill off your 2 month old chicks. Be careful - it sounds like such a nice deal, but oooh, wouldn't you be sad.

 

[Sammi_0411]

Hey from the UK! Welcome to BYC it's lovely to have you here lots of useful knowledge and advice on here and everyone trys to assist with any questions or queries. If you decide to take them also u would need them separated from yours but still in eyesight to get used to each other slowly integrating them there will be some.ruckus as they will establish a pecking order but if gets violent will need to be separated again it's a long slow process but rewarding I think the question u ask yourself is do u want these 4 chickens? Do u have the time and patience to integrate? Are u able to keep separate but nr each other? Answering these questions should hopefully give u ur answer good luck and keep us updated on what you decide
XxSamXx

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. What @Boppo Said

 

[Tookie]

Hi and welcome to BYC!
You have the space for them, so take them if you want!
To integrate start with the see no touch method, this might be the hard part. You need to separate them from the others, so you have to have a place for them where they can see the other chicks.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Very nice looking coop you have there.

I agree with @Boppo.

 

[Dr Evy]

Hi Debbie! Welcome to BYC. We’re so glad you joined!

 

[sourland]

Hello, Debbie, and welcome to BYC. Where are you located? The coop is borderline/minimal for 8 birds, but if your winters are moderate, birds can spend time in that pen.

 

[Debbiebs1b]

Glad to meet you, Debbie. What a nice friend. What are the dimensions of your coop and pen? They don't look that big from the pictures. Look very nice, though. But 8 chickens will need more space. Also, you will need to quarantine the new hens for 2 months to be sure they are not bringing in some disease that would kill off your 2 month old chicks. Be careful - it sounds like such a nice deal, but oooh, wouldn't you be sad.

hen house is 8' x 4' and run is 11' x 16'. Definitely don't want diseases. I think I should wait. Thanks