Adding new chickens, is it possible?

[jnicholes]

Hi everyone,

I have a really quick question. I don’t know if there’s an article for this on BYC, but I figured I would ask.

I recently lost seven chickens to a dog attack. I’m down to six. The surviving breeds are as follows:

1 buff Orpington
2 barred Plymouth rocks
1 amber white
1 golden sex link
1 Amaraucauna (think I spelled it wrong)

With egg prices the way they are, I want to get some more chickens for my flock to replace what I lost. The problem is, I don’t know how to incorporate new chickens to an existing flock.

I usually raise from chicks, I have a lot of experience with that, but I have no experience adding them to an existing flock.

I want all hens, by the way.

So, to sum of my question, how do you incorporate new chickens into an existing flock? Is it even possible?

I am rebuilding the coop this spring, as I made a mistake that violates city ordinance, so I can make adjustments if I need to do so.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

It is possible, just remember to quarantine any new hens! Heres some articles:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-integrate-your-chicken-flock-the-easy-way.63034/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nderestimated-part-of-raising-chickens.67097/

 

[aart]

With egg prices the way they are, I want to get some more chickens for my flock to replace what I lost

It won't cost you much, if any, less..... but feels and tastes better.

Is it even possible?

Possible, but risky.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


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.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

It won't cost you much, if any, less..... but feels and tastes better.


Possible, but risky.

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article


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.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Wow, you definitely said it better than me!

 

[jnicholes]

It won't cost you much, if any, less..... but feels and tastes better.

I am aware of that, I’m just trying to help my family the best way I know how.

Here’s a picture of the survivors, by the way.

I’m definitely going to have to consider taking the risk. I really want to get my flock back to the way it was before the dog attack.