The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bert on July 02, 2012, 08:15:36 am
-
At the end of the month I will be getting another 9 Chickens (point of lay).
My plan is to put them in the house with my original 6 girl after they have settled down for the night. Say an hour after they have gone to roost. I was then going to let them out into the run earlyer than normal the first morning. Also no free range action, only give them access to the run and house for the first week so they can get to know each other and know where home is and know where they should lay there eggs( It wouldn't hurt my original girl to be reminded of this :innocent: ).More importantly so I can keep an eye on them and play ref if I need to (hope not :fc: ).
Also going to check with the breeder when (if) they were last wormed because a week of confinement is the perfect opportunity to worm them. And find out what there diet has been so I don't mess up the digestion with food they are not used to, as well as all the stress of moving.
Is there anything else I need to know or do (or do differently) before they turn up?
-
Sounds as though you have it covered. ;D
Is it possible to wire the pen/shed and run in half for a while ??? I always find that introductions are less stressful on all concerned if the hens can see each other but not have physical contact for a week or two. Some can be so spiteful at first. Both sets can then have their own food, water and space until they get used to each other.
-
you should always keep new and old chickens seperate TOTALLY for at least 2 weeks to make sure your new chickens dont fetch anything with them that will harm/kill your original chickens :-)