Trading chicks

[Welding103]

My 12 chicks are a12 weeks old and I'm swapping 3 of my leg horns for 3 hamburg chickens which are almost 10 weeks old. Do I need to quarantine them or can I let them free range with the other chicks.

 

[aart]

The risks you want to take on pests and diseases is up to you to decide.
Integration is another aspect you'll need to deal with.

Here's some info that might help with your decision and plans.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search


Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Welding103]

The risks you want to take on pests and diseases is up to you to decide.
Integration is another aspect you'll need to deal with.

Here's some info that might help with your decision and plans.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search


Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

The only thing is we are leaving for vacation on the weekend and we will be back 6 days later. If separation is required would a 2 level bunny hutch do for 3 10 week old chicks

 

[Mrs. K]

Either the bunny hutch or wait till you get back to get them. Not for quarantine, but to make sure the new birds do not get attacked to the point of death. I don't think they will, but they can. A lot depends on your set up.

Some people quarantine and some people just separate the birds and introduce them slowly, these two techniques are totally different. To truly quarantine is very difficult in a backyard set up, it involves changing your clothes between working with each group. Separate feed, and water for each group. Most people with a small flock cannot do it correctly, and if you don't do it correctly, you may as well not do it at all.

However, I would NOT throw 3 new birds in and leave for 6 days. Both sets should be close to the same size? Which will help. A lot depends on your set up, do you have hide outs, roosts, mini walls, multiple feeders and water in the run?

But integration takes supervision, at least a couple of times a day.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

However, I would NOT throw 3 new birds in and leave for 6 days.

Ditto Dat^^^