Taking over a flock

[Magneto]

Going from 3 chickens to 30+ Need Advice

I’m buying a home that comes with a large coop and about 30 chickens. My wife and I choose to take over the previous owners flock as we didn’t want the birds to be possibly butchered. We currently have three 1 year old Australorps that are quite healthy. However we’ve moved three states this summer and they haven’t been laying from the stress and molting. I’m just looking for some advice about some things I should do with such a large flock (medical needs ect) I’m even thinking about giving some away to a local 4H as the thought seems overwhelming to take over that many chickens. Also how should I move my original 3 into such a large group?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Keep them separated until you know the new birds are healthy - 3-4 weeks.

Then you can let them free range together or do the see-but-don't-touch method for a bit. I think it'd be the same method as if would be if the large flock was your original flock and you were integrating your Australorps. It is their home, after all. You'd birds are the new birds.

Good luck!!! Keep us posted!!!!

 

[Happy hen lover]

Wow that's a brave undertaking ! Are you close to town? If not pbly should have some basic meds on hand. I bet some of the experts will chime in tomorrow for you. Folks will want to know coop and run measurements as overcrowding can lead to health problems for sure. I'm excited for you all. I'm just thinking about what your 3 are thinking. They just got 30 siblings!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters.

First, prepare for quarantine. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nderestimated-part-of-raising-chickens.67097/

Now, before you get attached to them, evaluate the new flock (https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-look-out-for-when-adopting-new-poultry.76403/):

• Are there any unhealthy birds?
• Any parasites?
• Any bullies?
• Any special needs birds that will increase your workload and decrease your joy in the flock?
• How many eggs are you getting?
• What's the ratio of hens to roosters?
• If it's fall in your location, how is the molt going? Remember that the best birds may look the roughest during the molt.
• Is there any other reason to suspect that some of these birds are going to be trouble?

Then evaluate the facilities:

• How big is the coop?
• How big is the run?
• Are those numbers adequate for the birds' needs? https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/
• How much ventilation?
• How much roost space?
• How many nest boxes?
• How many feed/water stations?
• Any extras like built-in storage, built-in brooder, etc?
• What are the 3 best features of these facilities?
• What are the 3 worst features of these facilities?
• How hard is it to clean?

Then you can form a plan to work with your new birds -- how many to keep, how many to rehome, how many to cull, etc.

Here are some useful articles on integration:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

I have frequently read it recommended to, when dealing with introducing a small number of birds into a larger flock, after the initial quarantine and initial see-don't-touch, to put a few of the more docile members in with the newcomers for pre-integration so that they have friends in the new pecking order and don't get ganged up on so badly.

 

[Sally PB]

Wow! Good luck with your new home and flock!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters.

First, prepare for quarantine. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nderestimated-part-of-raising-chickens.67097/

Now, before you get attached to them, evaluate the new flock (https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-look-out-for-when-adopting-new-poultry.76403/):

• Are there any unhealthy birds?
• Any parasites?
• Any bullies?
• Any special needs birds that will increase your workload and decrease your joy in the flock?
• How many eggs are you getting?
• What's the ratio of hens to roosters?
• If it's fall in your location, how is the molt going? Remember that the best birds may look the roughest during the molt.
• Is there any other reason to suspect that some of these birds are going to be trouble?

Then evaluate the facilities:

• How big is the coop?
• How big is the run?
• Are those numbers adequate for the birds' needs? https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/
• How much ventilation?
• How much roost space?
• How many nest boxes?
• How many feed/water stations?
• Any extras like built-in storage, built-in brooder, etc?
• What are the 3 best features of these facilities?
• What are the 3 worst features of these facilities?
• How hard is it to clean?

Then you can form a plan to work with your new birds -- how many to keep, how many to rehome, how many to cull, etc.

Here are some useful articles on integration:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

I have frequently read it recommended to, when dealing with introducing a small number of birds into a larger flock, after the initial quarantine and initial see-don't-touch, to put a few of the more docile members in with the newcomers for pre-integration so that they have friends in the new pecking order and don't get ganged up on so badly.

Very thorough! Nicely done!!!