Presenting new chickens for an old flock could be demanding for the wild birds and also you. The brand new flock will have to set up a new pecking order, which may be brutal for everybody involved.

Through much experimentation through the years, we’ve created a great technique for new flock initiation. This tactic enables the wild birds to get accustomed to one another progressively, so there’s less anxiety.

There are many best ways to start presenting new chickens for an established flock, but this is actually the way in which works best for us each time.

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Presenting New Chickens Step-by-step

The First Step: Quarantine

Brand new flock people should be quarantined prior to being put into a recognised flock.

Quarantine is performed to make sure that the brand new flock people aren’t getting in illnesses or unwanted pests for your flock. They’ll have to be examined daily to consider indications of mites and lice, in addition to common chicken illnesses. Quarantine should last not less than per week.

To quarantine new chickens, have them within an isolated area where they aren’t discussing space using the existing flock. Your dog cage indoors or garage works well. Make sure to wash both hands completely among handling new wild birds and all of those other flock.

Following the quarantine period expires and you’re certain your brand-new flock people aren’t presenting any illnesses or unwanted pests, you can start presenting new chickens to all of those other flock.

Second Step: Cage within coop

Put the new wild birds in a large animal cage within the coop. Should you not possess a cage, fence off a large part from the coop for that new wild birds, ensuring they’re protected on every side.

Placing the cage inside a corner may be beneficial, so 3 walls from the cage are uncovered to all of those other flock.

The present flock people can come to research the brand new additions, but won’t be capable of getting too close. This allows everybody to sit in one another progressively.

Keep your new flock people within the cage for that first 3-seven days. Whether it appears everybody gets along well after 72 hours, start third step. If there’s still lots of pecking happening with the cage, have them inside for any couple of more days.

Third Step: The Opportunity Time

When second step is finished and also the wild birds are confident with one anothers presence, it’s time for you to allow them to the opportunity together.

Allow the old wild birds and also the new wild birds to the opportunity together not less than a couple of hrs each day. This gives them time for you to communicate with one another, and space to obtain some privacy when they require it. Should you not the opportunity your flock, allow the new chickens from their cage and in to the run for any couple of hrs each day.

When the new wild birds don’t hurry from the cage the very first time you open it up, provide them with time. They might be fearful of the newly found space, but they’ll emerge when they’re ready.

Once the wild birds aren’t free varying together, keep your new flock people within the cage, including during the night.

Continue letting the flock the opportunity together for any week approximately. Timing differs for everybody, then when all appears well, start fourth step.

Fourth Step: Cage Door Open

Following a week of free varying together, open the doorway towards the cage and then leave it open. The brand new flock people can appear and disappear in the cage as they wish. It it’s still a secure place to allow them to go once they need, and they’ll likely still sleep there during the night. The whole flock are now able to mingle together every time they please. Continue allowing them to to the opportunity together.

Never be alarmed in case your new chickens get pecked at the same time in some time. This really is totally natural and necessary because the flock adjusts.

Keep in mind that chickens aren’t just like people, as well as their social order works in different ways. This process is supposed to get this to transition simpler for everybody, but there it’s still some adjustment prior to the wild birds are confident with one another.

Tips:

Give a second roost within the coop if required. The brand new wild birds could get pecked once they start attempting to roost. Give additional room so everybody can roost easily.

Provide places for brand new flock people to obtain some privacy. Placing roosting bars high up in the run makes it possible for a secure place. An alternative choice would be to leave covered spaces within the coop for wild birds to retreat to if they’re getting selected on.

Keep close track of the brand new wild birds to check out signs that they’re getting pecked an excessive amount of. Missing down, wounds, or bleeding really are a bad sign and individuals wild birds will need some additional time and TLC to obtain established.

If you are presenting chicks to some flock of adult wild birds, hold back until they’re a minimum of six days old, but eight days is much better. The chicks could possibly get wiped out through the bigger wild birds when they aren’t large enough to protect themselves.

Resourse: http://backyardchickenproject.com/presenting-new-chickens/

INTRODUCING NEW CHICKENS TO THE FLOCK

Tags: presenting

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