Novice Novice

[Freedom Hawk]

Hi everyone! I am here to try and gain some info on helping my parents take care of their Hens. They have 4 hens they raised from Chics that are in a coupe in their backyard. Not sure if the breed, because they bought them at a feed and seed store.

So far they are laying brown eggs nicely and are very friendly. I'm really impressed! I just bought 2 pullets ( one is a Orpington buff and the other is a Rhide island red. My question is when they arrive shoukd we seperate them from the other chickens until they are used to seeing each other? Trying to help my parents! I'm trying to read up on this more!

Oh yes, Freedom Hawk is the name if my son's band. I just realized it would be an ironic name for a chicken site! No pun intended!

 

[Freedom Hawk]

. Does anyone know what this breed of hen is?

 

[Cynthia12]

That chicken, from what I can see, looks to be a sex link..should lay great!

No, do not put babies into a full grown flock. They will need a place of their own for a couple of months at least. If they can run and get away ... as in free ranging, then two months should be fine, if in a run, you will want to wait until at least 4 months.

I used to live in VA. Two different places. I was in Stephen City, and Winchester..where are you? Moved here to Utah from there.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

Whenever I bring home new birds, they are quarantined for at least one month to prevent any possible spread of disease. After that, it would be possible to house them where the younger pullets can see the older flock, and vise versa, but definitely wait until they are closer to the same size as the other birds before integrating them.

Good luck!

 

[Freedom Hawk]

Thank you ! I live in Va Beach, my parents keep their chickens in their backyard which they are zoned for in Franklin va next to Suffolk - out there- all country. I thought they were crazy doing this at first, but they have done well with raising these chicks they bought from a feed and seed store! They originally were free ranging, but 2 got killed by predators, so the coupe got enlarged and no more freedom. They look very healthy and are very friendly! One likes her back rubbed! Anyway, thanks for the welcome!

 

[drumstick diva]

The best way to integrate new birds with old, is the "look but, don't touch system," where you partition off the run and coop, new birds on one side, established flock on the other. This way over time, they get to know each other without bloodshed. Have water and feed on both sides. You can learn more by putting "Integrating new birds " in the search box. Welcome to Backyard chickens.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. The other members have given you some good advice, and X2 on drumstick diva; the way to integrate new birds into an existing flock is using the "look but don't touch" method. There is a good article at https://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/introducing-new-chickens/ explaining how to do it. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in introducing the two new pullets to your flock.

 

[N F C]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I've used the "look but don't touch" method myself to integrate and can vouch that it really does work (and the isolation is an important first step). It's nice things have gone well for your parents and you are joining them in their chicken adventure.

Good luck to you and your family, if you have questions feel free to ask.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[Freedom Hawk]

. In so excited! We've had about a dozen eggs so far!

 

[N F C]

Congratulations, they look great! Have you tasted any yet?