Best timing for adding to my mini-flock - in 2 months vs next year

[ChaosMom]

Chicken math strikes!!!! (although this was completely expected)

I have three 11-week-old pullets, different breeds, all raised together from hatching, and acquired three weeks ago from the same local breeder. I have already planned to add 2 more initially, with a possible final total of 7 (local ordinance limit.)

I asked the breeder about good timing to add, and she said that it could be done at various times, but it would be easier to do before the originals begin laying. The current three probably will begin laying in mid-June at the earliest; I'm expecting July (not production breeds.)

There is an opportunity to add two more of the breeds I'd like (one pullet each) in early June. Otherwise, I'd wait until next spring. And I wouldn't try this year unless we've gotten through most of the learning curve with the current three.

Additions would come from the same breeder, whose farm is NPIP-certified as well as state-certified as AI-free.They would also have been raised together from hatching, so they would not be new to one another. The new pullets would be six weeks old, while the current ones would be 21 weeks at that point, close to but not yet actually laying (Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, and Easter Egger.)

Nestera coop is being expanded to a total of ~28 square feet; run is 120 square feet with limited supervised backyard foraging.

It's a crap shoot, I know, but any advantage in adding two more in a couple of months vs next spring? And if it just doesn't feel right at either time, I won't do it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Additions would come from the same breeder,

Doesn't matter as far as integration goes. They may share some "flock immunity" as they will be that old.

The new pullets would be six weeks old, while the current ones would be 21 weeks at that point, close to but not yet actually laying (Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, and Easter Egger.)

Don't be shocked if you get an egg earlier than you expect. One is as likely to be early as it is to be late.

With that age difference I'd plan on a full integration. House them side by side for a while and gradually let them mix. Do not expect them to be cuddling up and singing Cum-ba-ya together until the young ones begin to lay.

Nestera coop is being expanded to a total of ~28 square feet; run is 120 square feet with limited supervised backyard foraging.

That limited backyard foraging doesn't matter unless the room is available when they need it. It probably will not be.

You will meet the minimum guidelines for coop space for a flock that is fully integrated and have some excess run space by those guidelines. Integration often takes more space. The chicks will probably need a safe place to sleep where they are protected from the older ones. It is possible they will get along, even with those age differences but I'd have a plan where they can be separated if you need it.

It's a crap shoot, I know, but any advantage in adding two more in a couple of months vs next spring?

As far as integration goes I don't see any difference. The advantage of adding soon would be to get a few more eggs earlier. The advantage in waiting is that as they get older they lay less. Many of us have multiple generation flocks as the youngest lay more. Unless you are willing to get rid of your older hens when egg production drops you there is no significant benefit in this.

 

[ChaosMom]

Doesn't matter as far as integration goes. They may share some "flock immunity" as they will be that old.


Don't be shocked if you get an egg earlier than you expect. One is as likely to be early as it is to be late.

With that age difference I'd plan on a full integration. House them side by side for a while and gradually let them mix. Do not expect them to be cuddling up and singing Cum-ba-ya together until the young ones begin to lay.


That limited backyard foraging doesn't matter unless the room is available when they need it. It probably will not be.

You will meet the minimum guidelines for coop space for a flock that is fully integrated and have some excess run space by those guidelines. Integration often takes more space. The chicks will probably need a safe place to sleep where they are protected from the older ones. It is possible they will get along, even with those age differences but I'd have a plan where they can be separated if you need it.


As far as integration goes I don't see any difference. The advantage of adding soon would be to get a few more eggs earlier. The advantage in waiting is that as they get older they lay less. Many of us have multiple generation flocks as the youngest lay more. Unless you are willing to get rid of your older hens when egg production drops you there is no significant benefit in this.

Thank you; I greatly appreciate you sharing your insights!!

 

[townchicks]

In my experience, age hasn't been as much of a factor, as proper look but don't touch introduction, and lots of space, clutter for newbies to get out of sight, and multiple feed and water stations. Like you, I have a limit on numbers, only 5 allowed, so sometimes it is a challenge, but it has always worked out in the long run. I have a small prefab that was my original coop, and that helps so much, as that gives me a safe place for newbies to sleep until they are able to sleep in the bigger coop safely. Frankly, if you can get the breeds you wanted this June, I will say go for it. They may not be available next year. This fall, I added 3 older rescue hens to my 2 six year old Marans. This took about 3 weeks, this time. There were a few bitch fights between my head hen Elvira and wannabe head Maeve, from the new group but nobody got hurt, except for Maeve's ego. They are now one cohesive flock and go everywhere together.

 

[ChaosMom]

In my experience, age hasn't been as much of a factor, as proper look but don't touch introduction, and lots of space, clutter for newbies to get out of sight, and multiple feed and water stations. Like you, I have a limit on numbers, only 5 allowed, so sometimes it is a challenge, but it has always worked out in the long run. I have a small prefab that was my original coop, and that helps so much, as that gives me a safe place for newbies to sleep until they are able to sleep in the bigger coop safely. Frankly, if you can get the breeds you wanted this June, I will say go for it. They may not be available next year. This fall, I added 3 older rescue hens to my 2 six year old Marans. This took about 3 weeks, this time. There were a few bitch fights between my head hen Elvira and wannabe head Maeve, from the new group but nobody got hurt, except for Maeve's ego. They are now one cohesive flock and go everywhere together.

I have a prefab as well, which I love other than size, and it would be available for that temporary housing. Thanks for the very encouraging story, and I worry a bit about availability next year as well.

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd wait until next year if you can just so your flock doesn't age all at once

 

[townchicks]

I have a prefab as well, which I love other than size, and it would be available for that temporary housing. Thanks for the very encouraging story, and I worry a bit about availability next year as well.

Great. Do let us know what you do and how it works out. I will add, and I know this is hard, because chicken math is crazy, but if you do get these try to wait a couple of years to add more, so you do have a staggered laying group. I'm still getting some eggs from a couple of my oldies, but as I keep them all, laying or not, I may be back to buying eggs soon. Or sneak a couple in past my limit

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

As a couple posts have mentioned, it wouldn't be a bad idea to wait at least a year to add more. Ultimately it's up to what you're wanting to do.

Many chickens lay a lot for the first year or two, and then production has a major drop.
So if you are wanting a lot of eggs regularly, that would mean you'd either need to replace your hens (about every 2 years), or only add a couple hens and figure out what to do once you hit your max chicken limit.

Oh, and some hens tend to go broody, so they'll stop laying. Some also stop laying in winter. Or if they get stressed (animal attack, summer heat, health/parasites)

If you're looking for pets, and eggs are just a bonus, it's worth mentioning that chickens can live about a decade, depending on care, genetics/health, and if they don't get attacked by predators.

As far as the space you have (28sqft coop, 120sqft run), I think you could fit 5 hens... but I'm not sure 6-10 hens would tolerate each other well. Some chickens just want more space, or are more likely to bully.

Hope some of this was helpful.

 

[ChaosMom]

As a couple posts have mentioned, it wouldn't be a bad idea to wait at least a year to add more. Ultimately it's up to what you're wanting to do.

Many chickens lay a lot for the first year or two, and then production has a major drop.
So if you are wanting a lot of eggs regularly, that would mean you'd either need to replace your hens (about every 2 years), or only add a couple hens and figure out what to do once you hit your max chicken limit.

Oh, and some hens tend to go broody, so they'll stop laying. Some also stop laying in winter. Or if they get stressed (animal attack, summer heat, health/parasites)

If you're looking for pets, and eggs are just a bonus, it's worth mentioning that chickens can live about a decade, depending on care, genetics/health, and if they don't get attacked by predators.

As far as the space you have (28sqft coop, 120sqft run), I think you could fit 5 hens... but I'm not sure 6-10 hens would tolerate each other well. Some chickens just want more space, or are more likely to bully.

Hope some of this was helpful.

Yes, thanks; very helpful, and it's nice to have the restraint of space (as well as city regulations) to keep me under bridle and bit!

We're actually looking for assistant gardeners in the form of hens, with eggs as a bonus, and not trying to make them pets. Although if I'm sitting out in the yard and one decides to hop up on my chair, I won't shoo her down! If anything, they're a bit for entertainment purposes. We've already discovered how easy it is to lose an hour, just sitting there and watching them be chickens. Right now their voices are changing, from peeps toward hen talk, and it's charming! They're like teenage boys (but better-smelling) whose voices roller-coaster between high pitch and Johnny Cash bass.

 

[ChaosMom]

So I think I've cooled my jets a bit, making myself remember that the original plan was 3 for year 1 and then 2 each for years 2 and 3, and then see where we are. I'm 70, so if I wind up hanging out in another five years with geriatric hens, I'll be in good company.