Quarantine and adding a rooster?

[kimthom66]

I have 4 hens that are just over a year old (all Orpingtons) and 2 hens that are 2 years old. This weekend I got rid of my aggressive rooster, but yesterday when I let the girls out to free range they ran amuck, very scattered and going too close to the wooded area of our property, so I am looking to add another rooster to try and keep the ladies in line. (And hopefully leave humans alone) But I have not observed a head hen, probably too soon after the rooster is gone to tell? But shouldn't I add a rooster sooner than later to avoid a dominant hen from developing?

I have found a flock of Orpingtons that includes 2 hens & 1 rooster that are just over a year themselves, so the age seems right? So my main question is how long is a reasonable quarantine period? With larger chickens it will be harder to keep them separate. And I want them to accept this new rooster before a dominant hen emerges? Advice?

 

[Folly's place]

I am paranoid about biosecurity, and NEVER get older birds. Are your birds vaccinated for Marek's disease? Are the possible new ones? You can ask about health issues , and hope for truthful answers. If everything sounds fine, the new birds should be TOTALLY separate from your flock, and downwind, for three or four weeks. Then bring your least favorite bird(s) to hang out with the new ones for another three weeks or so, and than if all is well, combine the two groups. Meanwhile, treat for them for parasites. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I add birds by raising vaccinated chicks, and keeping the best cockrel(s) out of the group. You could do the same thing, realizing the egg production will decrease in your older birds. Mary

 

[kimthom66]

I do normally buy young chicks and all of mine were vaccinated for Marek's.

Do I still have to quarantine older chickens that I get from a hatchery certified by the National Poultry Improvement Plan our birds is tested and inspected regularly by the USDA?

 

[aart]

I do normally buy young chicks and all of mine were vaccinated for Marek's.

Do I still have to quarantine older chickens that I get from a hatchery certified by the National Poultry Improvement Plan our birds is tested and inspected regularly by the USDA?

The orps are coming from this hatchery?

 

[kimthom66]

I was looking at a pair of orps that come from a place that claims this yes.

 

[aart]

I was looking at a pair of orps that come from a place that claims this yes.

Ask them if they've been vaccinated for Mareks....as far as I know, NPIP usually only tests for Pullorium (sp?)...so ask what they test and vaccinate for.