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introducing new chickens to the flock
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:57 am
by red
what experiences have people had of adding some new birds to their existing flock?
excessive bullying?
egg laying stopped by previous birds?
quick to settle?
Re: introducing new chickens to the flock
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:11 am
by contadina
Been prepared for this both times we've introduced new birds, but despite having my water pistol handy it's never been required as they quickly and non-violently sorted out pecking orders straight away. Both times we've put the new birds in caged area, adjacent to the other birds, so they can see but not touch for a day.
Re: introducing new chickens to the flock
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:28 am
by MINESAPINT
I wire a section of the shed off and new birds (only 2) are confined to quarters for a few days. When I release them they soon sort out the pecking order. Currently my 2 newest ones Rhode Island Reds are not allowed on the perches and have to roost on the droppings board.
Re: introducing new chickens to the flock
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:14 pm
by Millymollymandy
It took mine about 6 months to settle down and stop pecking the new ones! I won't do that again (introducing two new ones to 3 old ladies) - they were sooooooo mean.
Re: introducing new chickens to the flock
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:41 pm
by red
thanks for the replies
the chicks raised by one of our older hens have been accepted no problems, but I fancy getting a couple more POL
Re: introducing new chickens to the flock
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:22 pm
by Mainer in Exile
I've found fewer problems when I introduce more than one at a time. Our experience has been that adding one hen to the flock results in bullying of the new hen, but when we add 2 or 3 at once, they sort things out quicker. Having a rooster helps, too. Since we got ours, the new hens get sorted in quicker than before. The rooster tends to break up any bullying by the hens in short order.