As spring approaches, some chicken keepers get the itch to go to the local feed store and check out the new little chicks. There is something irresistible about the peeping of a baby chick.
Nevertheless, the thought of integrating the younger members into the established flock with the big kids in the coop gives some a little anxiety. No one can predict how the older kids will react to the new kids on the block.
It is vital to quarantine new additions to an existing flock before introducing them to the existing flock. This is to ensure that the newest members do not carry any diseases or infections that might spread to your current flock and cause them to die.
It is imperative that your new flock members have either their own separate coop or at least a large dog crate when you bring them home. You will be able to keep an eye on them in this separate area, making sure you check them often to ensure they are healthy and disease-free. Disease and illness that can take the flock out is the last thing any flock keeper wants to bring into the flock.
Some things to look out for include:
You should administer mineral supplements to your flock members during quarantine. The goal is to keep them in shape as they await meeting your primary flock and becoming members. It is recommended to increase the feed of the new members if they appear to be underweight. This will enable them to gain strength and make them healthy before the big introduction.
A quarantine period of 7 to 31 days for the new member would be helpful. A longer quarantine will result in a safer environment for all. You will have plenty of time to spot any possible signs of illness or disease during the longer quarantine period.
Additionally, be sure to wash your hands between caring for each flock during quarantine. As a result, you will prevent the spread of disease and illness between your separate flocks.
Ideally, you should allow your existing flock a period of time when they can see the new members, but not touch them. Here's an article that digs deeper into this method: Introducing New Chickens: Using The “See But Don’t Touch” Method
In order to ensure the best possible results from your flock's free-ranging, you should let your new flock members out first, and then allow them to roam alone for a few minutes. In a few minutes, let the existing flock members out of their coop and allow them to mingle with the new kids.
If you choose not to free-range your flock but keep them in a run, you can still apply the same process. Let the newest flock members enter first, then let the older flock members enter, and let them greet the younger flock members in their own time.
The new members of the flock will jostle and tussle with the existing members when the two flocks are introduced. The flock is working to re-establish the pecking order, so do not worry about this. Give them space so long as the skirmishes remain just that, and they do not appear to be causing physical harm or damage.
You will need to separate the flock members and try to integrate them with one another the next day if the tussling has gone on longer than it should or has become more aggressive. The process may need to be repeated over a few days until they settle down within a few minutes and accept one another when introduced.
At this point, it is important to note that different breeds react differently. This is especially true when your flock members experience change, such as when new flock members are added. Hybrids and Buff Orpingtons are generally more tolerant of newcomers and more laid back than most other breeds. Silkies and Rhode Island Reds, on the other hand, are notorious for being especially territorial and do not accept new flock members as easily.
Please find below the suggested time frames for each of the steps we have already discussed. When considering the mingling of new flock members, this list can prove useful.
When your existing members appear to go off their laying cycle, it is not something to be concerned about. They can be thrown off their routine a little when strange new members join.
In total, you can expect the entire process to take about 5-6 weeks from the time you bring your new chicks home, or from when they are hatched, until they become familiar members of your flock.
In the event that a hen goes broody and hatches her own eggs, she will protect and care for her chicks. In most cases, she will be the one to integrate them into the flock, and they will be treated as their own.
Alternatively, if you purchase chicks or hatch them in an incubator, you will probably have some issues when you try to integrate the new members. As such, for the first 15-16 weeks, you will need to keep the chicks separate from the rest of the flock and in their own coops or runs.
Your new flock members should be allowed to fully feather out and be close in size to your existing flock members. You can proceed to follow the steps above after they have feathered and grown, eliminating the quarantine period.
Therefore, it is unfair to subject those of a smaller breed to the bullying that those of a larger breed will inevitably present. Occasionally, integration of smaller and larger breeds has been successful, but this is very rare.
While the process of establishing order in the flock is a difficult one, as long as it doesn't turn bloody or deadly, let your flock work it out on their own.
The fights between them will not only be bloody but could also lead to one or both birds dying in a nasty fashion. Unless you have raised the roosters from chicks together, and there are plenty of hens for them to share, it is not advised to keep roosters together.
Allow your flock the time and space it needs to establish the new member's place within the flock's hierarchy. Each flock member must know his or her place in the new pecking order, and coexistence is essential. This order needs to be sorted out again after the new members have been introduced.
There is another option that some flock owners have found to be effective if the above steps do not work. At the end of the day, when your current flock has gone to roost, you can place the newly added chickens in the coop with the others, even on the roost. When daybreak arrives, the new members are there, and, in most cases, the others accept them and carry on with their day.
Nevertheless, to be safe, you may want to be on hand when the sun rises in case any flock drama unfolds. In order to minimize fights and confrontations, you may wish to have a few distractions on hand, such as treats.
After about one week together, you will not need to keep such a close eye on the flock. New members will feel as if they have been there all along, and the flock and chicken yard will be at peace once again
Further Reading:
Nevertheless, the thought of integrating the younger members into the established flock with the big kids in the coop gives some a little anxiety. No one can predict how the older kids will react to the new kids on the block.
Issue A Quarantine
Your adult grown flock members are more likely to carry disease or infection than you might think. If you purchase small chicks from a hatchery or feed store, make sure they are not sick or infected.It is vital to quarantine new additions to an existing flock before introducing them to the existing flock. This is to ensure that the newest members do not carry any diseases or infections that might spread to your current flock and cause them to die.
It is imperative that your new flock members have either their own separate coop or at least a large dog crate when you bring them home. You will be able to keep an eye on them in this separate area, making sure you check them often to ensure they are healthy and disease-free. Disease and illness that can take the flock out is the last thing any flock keeper wants to bring into the flock.
Some things to look out for include:
- Signs of lice and mites
- Dull or shriveled combs
- Blocked nostrils or eye fluid
- Scaly legs
You should administer mineral supplements to your flock members during quarantine. The goal is to keep them in shape as they await meeting your primary flock and becoming members. It is recommended to increase the feed of the new members if they appear to be underweight. This will enable them to gain strength and make them healthy before the big introduction.
A quarantine period of 7 to 31 days for the new member would be helpful. A longer quarantine will result in a safer environment for all. You will have plenty of time to spot any possible signs of illness or disease during the longer quarantine period.
Additionally, be sure to wash your hands between caring for each flock during quarantine. As a result, you will prevent the spread of disease and illness between your separate flocks.
Take It Slowly
I would like to emphasize that integrating and introducing new flock members should not be rushed. Even if you do not feel that quarantining them is necessary, you should still avoid just throwing the new members into the existing flock cold turkey. This will only cause undue stress to the existing flock and the new members, not to mention unrest and possibly infighting.Ideally, you should allow your existing flock a period of time when they can see the new members, but not touch them. Here's an article that digs deeper into this method: Introducing New Chickens: Using The “See But Don’t Touch” Method
Make The Proper Introductions
The new birds have been quarantined and their "visual introduction" has been made. Now it's time to move on to the next phase. The introduction of the two flocks physically in the hopes of migrating them into one can prove to be a nerve-racking and exciting step.In order to ensure the best possible results from your flock's free-ranging, you should let your new flock members out first, and then allow them to roam alone for a few minutes. In a few minutes, let the existing flock members out of their coop and allow them to mingle with the new kids.
If you choose not to free-range your flock but keep them in a run, you can still apply the same process. Let the newest flock members enter first, then let the older flock members enter, and let them greet the younger flock members in their own time.
The new members of the flock will jostle and tussle with the existing members when the two flocks are introduced. The flock is working to re-establish the pecking order, so do not worry about this. Give them space so long as the skirmishes remain just that, and they do not appear to be causing physical harm or damage.
You will need to separate the flock members and try to integrate them with one another the next day if the tussling has gone on longer than it should or has become more aggressive. The process may need to be repeated over a few days until they settle down within a few minutes and accept one another when introduced.
At this point, it is important to note that different breeds react differently. This is especially true when your flock members experience change, such as when new flock members are added. Hybrids and Buff Orpingtons are generally more tolerant of newcomers and more laid back than most other breeds. Silkies and Rhode Island Reds, on the other hand, are notorious for being especially territorial and do not accept new flock members as easily.
How Long Will The Process Take?
It may seem tedious and time-consuming to follow the steps above, and truth be told, some flock keepers skip many of them or take a completely different route to integrate their new flock members. It is still widely acknowledged that if you take your time and don't rush the process, your chances of making it go smoothly will be better.Please find below the suggested time frames for each of the steps we have already discussed. When considering the mingling of new flock members, this list can prove useful.
Quarantine
A quarantine period of no more than one month is recommended. This time frame will allow you to monitor the newest members in order to determine if they are sick and to treat them if necessary.Visual Introduction
A week should be enough time for your existing flock to get used to the presence of the newer membersPhysical Introductions
Hopefully, if you follow the two steps above, you will only need to do this step once. Some of your flock members may be breeds that tend to exhibit more territorial aggression than others. Depending on the situation, the new members may need up to 3-4 attempts before they are successfully integrated.Calm In The Coop
For at least a week, if not two, after you have successfully integrated the two flocks, you will want to keep an eye on the new members. You should observe their interactions, ensure that they are all eating and drinking, as well as keeping an eye on their egg production.When your existing members appear to go off their laying cycle, it is not something to be concerned about. They can be thrown off their routine a little when strange new members join.
In total, you can expect the entire process to take about 5-6 weeks from the time you bring your new chicks home, or from when they are hatched, until they become familiar members of your flock.
Special Instances And Circumstances
In most instances, the steps described above are sufficient to introduce and then integrate your separate flock members, but there are times when the circumstances are different. This can involve the introduction of chicks to the adult flock members or even the mixing of different breeds of chickens.Baby Chicks And Adults
In terms of integrating baby chicks with the adults of your flock, you are pretty safe to let nature take its course.In the event that a hen goes broody and hatches her own eggs, she will protect and care for her chicks. In most cases, she will be the one to integrate them into the flock, and they will be treated as their own.
Alternatively, if you purchase chicks or hatch them in an incubator, you will probably have some issues when you try to integrate the new members. As such, for the first 15-16 weeks, you will need to keep the chicks separate from the rest of the flock and in their own coops or runs.
Your new flock members should be allowed to fully feather out and be close in size to your existing flock members. You can proceed to follow the steps above after they have feathered and grown, eliminating the quarantine period.
Breed Mixing
You may run into several different issues and problems when adding a variety of breeds to your flock. The most important reason is the possible difference in the sizes of the flock members. Larger breeds, as a rule, tend to be the most dominant in a flock.Therefore, it is unfair to subject those of a smaller breed to the bullying that those of a larger breed will inevitably present. Occasionally, integration of smaller and larger breeds has been successful, but this is very rare.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:Relocate
If possible, relocate their shared run or coop to a new location when introducing the new flock members. By doing this, the two flocks will be able to start a new life together, on a new piece of land.Size Matters
If you plan to integrate new flock members, it is best to introduce them when they are similar in size to your current flock members.Make Room
It is imperative that you have enough room in your existing pen or coop before deciding to integrate your flocks. If not, then you'll need to add on to your existing coop.Don’t Tolerate Aggressive Behavior
Put a member of your flock in isolation for a few days if they appear overly aggressive to the newest members.Treats On Hand
It is recommended that you have some treats on hand when you integrate the two flocks. If you need to create a distraction, you can have them on hand.No Going Solo
Introducing a solo new member is never a good idea. At least two birds should be introduced at a time so that the initial bullying to establish the pecking order in the flock can be randomly distributed amongst each of them.Practice Patience
When introducing new members to the flock, it is important to remember that they will need time to establish a pecking order. The arrival of the new members will unavoidably upset the delicate balance that the flock has already established.While the process of establishing order in the flock is a difficult one, as long as it doesn't turn bloody or deadly, let your flock work it out on their own.
A Note About Roosters
You should always keep in mind that once you have a rooster in your flock who has reached maturity, you should not try to integrate another younger rooster into the flock.The fights between them will not only be bloody but could also lead to one or both birds dying in a nasty fashion. Unless you have raised the roosters from chicks together, and there are plenty of hens for them to share, it is not advised to keep roosters together.
Chicken Math
can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Once you have a few feathered friends, chicken math is inevitable. So what is chicken math? Well, that's where you say you'll only have four chickens and soon discover that you have eight, then sixteen, and so on.Summary
When you decide to add your new flock members, there will be challenges and it will not always be easy. Consequently, issues are bound to arise since chickens are not too keen on change. It will be easier to integrate if you are prepared and know the proper steps to take beforehand.Allow your flock the time and space it needs to establish the new member's place within the flock's hierarchy. Each flock member must know his or her place in the new pecking order, and coexistence is essential. This order needs to be sorted out again after the new members have been introduced.
There is another option that some flock owners have found to be effective if the above steps do not work. At the end of the day, when your current flock has gone to roost, you can place the newly added chickens in the coop with the others, even on the roost. When daybreak arrives, the new members are there, and, in most cases, the others accept them and carry on with their day.
Nevertheless, to be safe, you may want to be on hand when the sun rises in case any flock drama unfolds. In order to minimize fights and confrontations, you may wish to have a few distractions on hand, such as treats.
After about one week together, you will not need to keep such a close eye on the flock. New members will feel as if they have been there all along, and the flock and chicken yard will be at peace once again
Further Reading:
