Should you sterilize your coop before adding new chickens to the flock?

[WildPrimal]

Hello, and Welcome to BackYard Chickens! So glad you decided to join! Make yourself at home here.

Thank you!

 

[WildPrimal]

There is no point in sterilizing your coop if you are adding birds.
They will be exposed (the two flocks) no matter what you do.

Ok thanks. That's what I thought.

 

[WildPrimal]

Sorry...I just noticed that was your first post.
WELCOME TO BYC!

Thanks for having me!

 

[WildPrimal]

Welcome to BYC. Sanitize, yes - sterilize, no. And @Kiki has explained why not very effectively.

Ok thanks. What is the difference exactly between sanitizing the coop and sterilizing it?

 

[WildPrimal]

It's an honor to have you here. I hope you like being had!

I feel honored to be welcomed to BYC! Thanks for having me!

 

[WildPrimal]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Make sure to integrate them slowly over a couple of weeks. Keep new birds caged or behind a fence next to the original flock, they can see but not touch each other. After a couple few weeks you can mix them. There will be jostling and bickering, always intervene if it turns bloody. Put out extra food and water stations as the original flock will try to guard these areas. Goid luck!

Ok I will do that! I'll place the tractor near the chicken run for a few weeks before fully introducing them with no barriers. I'll keep a good eye on them to see if they are getting along or not

 

[WildPrimal]

DE doesn't do anything but waste your money. If you need to worm your flock , it makes sense to determine what type of worms they have if any. One wormer doesn't do them all.
A vet can do a stool sample and tell you what kind and what is the best wormer for that.
All wormers are harsh on the system. Some people just automatically worm their birds when they don't really know if a worm problem exists.

So it is not effective at all? Is it effective against getting rid of parasites like fleas mites and ticks at least? I heard how good DE is from the YouTube channel Becky's Homestead.

 

[featherhead007]

So it is not effective at all? Is it effective against getting rid of parasites like fleas mites and ticks at least? I heard how good DE is from the YouTube channel Becky's Homestead.

DE caused respiratory problems with my flock. I would be careful!

 

[WildPrimal]

You may not know that the old chicks may never accept the newbies. You have a much better chance of integrating them successfully the younger everyone is.
Is it possible to move the babies into the coop now...a look but no touch type set up?
Can you get a few clear pictures of your big coop?

Ok thanks, I will try to integrate them while they are young. And I've attached some photos of my coop as well. Check out my YouTube channel to see how my chickens are doing too if you have the time. It is called Wild Primal. Here is a link to one of my videos:

 

[WildPrimal]

DE caused respiratory problems with my flock. I would be careful!

Yea I've heard of that being an issue. Thanks for the info