Some questions about quarantining new flock members!

[Nunie]

I have read a lot of information on how to introduce new birds to your established flock. Most of the articles and posts I've read seem aimed more at introducing and quarantining new pullets before adding them to the flock.


My questions are: If you have an established flock, then you get some day old chicks and raise them in a brooder for over a month, do you still then need to quarantine them from your established flock for a month before you introduce them fully? Or can the introduction start right away since they've already been around for a month or so and separated from the established flock?

Second question is about roosters: Lets say I have a flock of hens to begin with, and roosters are allowed in my area but I do not get one. If I change my mind later and decide to add a young or adult rooster to my flock, are the rules for introduction different than adding a new pullet? If I got a young roo or an adult, I'd obviously quarantine it for a month, just like with adding any other new adult or partially grown bird.


Thank you in advance for answering!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi,

Re: chicks - no, just follow the introductory look and no touch stuff you have read about.
Re: Roo - after quarantine, you can keep him in closed in the main coop for a while - I usually give it two nights in a mini-coop (so he knows where to go on a night time) and let him out with the rest of the flock. If he's young, he will get put in his place and remain there until he shows some grown up manners, but if he is mature it will not take long before he woos his way into your girls' hearts.

All the best
CT

 

[Chicken999]

Chick question: X2, day old chicks do not need quarantine, any sickness in the chicks will arise before they are ready to go in the coop

 

[Nunie]

Hi,

Re: chicks - no, just follow the introductory look and no touch stuff you have read about.
Re: Roo - after quarantine, you can keep him in closed in the main coop for a while - I usually give it two nights in a mini-coop (so he knows where to go on a night time) and let him out with the rest of the flock. If he's young, he will get put in his place and remain there until he shows some grown up manners, but if he is mature it will not take long before he woos his way into your girls' hearts.

All the best
CT

Thank you! I kinda figured it'd be like that, but better to be safe and confirm what I thought! Thanks again for the answers!

 

[Pork Pie]

You are more than welcome - its always good to double check things - I do it all the time.

CT

 

[aart]

One good thing to do for the chicks is to add a little chunk of sod every couple days from an area where your main flock runs.
They will have a ball scratching it up and pecking it and it will expose them slowly to help build immunity to the organisms that exist within the flock.

 

[Nunie]

One good thing to do for the chicks is to add a little chunk of sod every couple days from an area where your main flock runs.
They will have a ball scratching it up and pecking it and it will expose them slowly to help build immunity to the organisms that exist within the flock.

That sounds like a great idea! Thank you

 

[aart]

Quote: I usually start doing this at about 1 week old, after I'm sure everyone is eatingdrinkingpooping normally.