Urgent help, rescue chickens

[Pictorhens]

Hi, I have rescued two chickens from a farm that has been closed, they are currently in one of the rooms in my farm house. I have five chickens and a cock already, urgently need some advice on how I go about introducing them to my current flock. The two have been together the whole time at their old farm and seem very safe with each other.

What’s the best steps to take and how do I go about this, I don’t really have much of an idea?

Also any ideas on identifying the breed?

 

[Chickens :)]

If they are ex battery hens (used for egg production) they could possibly be hybrids such as the Lohman.

First, keep them separated for a while so you can watch them and make sure they don’t have any diseases or mites before putting them into your flock. This is so they don’t pass anything onto the others. Once you are satisfied they don’t have anything that could harm your flock, I usually put them in a cage next to them so they can all get used to each other for a day or two. Then put them in with the others.

They will sort out the pecking order which means the new ones will be attacked but try not to interfere unless they are brutal.

Hope this helps

 

[Pictorhens]

Thank you so much! Will see how they get on over the next few days, I was thinking ex battery - they have been free roaming on said farm but seems like an everyday chicken. White one has apparently been scared by a fox and lost lots of their fathers also.

 

[SongBaby33]

The brown one looks like an
ISA brown and the white one looks like an White leghorn

 

[Mrs. K]

if they have been free ranging I don't think they are battery hens. How close is the farm to you?

They may lay, and then stop laying for several days, or until the days start getting longer, or they may not lay if they are old.

Look them over very closely for pests. I am not a big proponent of quarantine as most of the time, it is impossible to really carry it out, but in this case, rescue birds, one that has lost a lot of feathers for what ever reason.... I would watch them carefully before adding to my flock. The stress of moving could make a disease come out. Wait and check before introducing to your own birds.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Definitely check them over for bugs......looks like they have scaly leg mites.
-Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.
-Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.
Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

As for adding them to your flock....here's the
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



As to what breed they are, knowing .....
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