New chooks

[lyn]

hello again, i have 2 chickens at the moment who are 12 months old and i am thinking of getting two other chickens and adding them to our small group of girls, my question is this, " is it ok to add new chickens with older chickens"


any answers please ??????????????????????????

[Bephlam]

Hi Lyn....

Yes, it's ok to add new chickens to your existing flock. You should be careful about it of course, and choose breeds that will live in harmony together. There are tons of posts on here on how to introduce new girls to your flock.

I added two more to mine on Friday...and they're all happily eating their porridge together right now.

Good luck..and keep us posted on what you get.

Welcome to the Vine, btw...I don't believe we've spoken before.

[MaureenHall]

Quick answer ........................ Yes You have to be a bit careful about mixing them straight away, if possible house the new ones where all the chooks can see each other for a few days. Then put the new girls to bed with the older ones at night. Someone did suggest spraying all the chooks in the coop with dilute vinegar and water so they all smell the same. Not sure if that works, but might be worth a try. There'll probably be a bit of a scuffle for a little while, while the new pecking order is sorted out.

Good luck

[Bephlam]

another tip I read in PP this month was...spray all your girls...new & existing with perfume...(doesn't need to be Chanel mind )..always spraying away from the head...and then popping them all in together at night.

I've never tried it...but...apparently it works a treat!

[lettucegrow!]

There has to be a hen perfume joke here somewhere!! I've been racking the brain cells but nothings coming- it's just a lovely vision, hens putting on their favourite perfume so they all get along!!
By the way Bephlam I love your Blog spot,what a lovely place to live surrounded by all those lovely dogs and hens-you lucky thing!

[Bephlam]

Thanks!

I also couldn't think of a suitable hen perfume joke...no doubt Snadger, Flummery or Mo will manage it though! lol.

[Lemon]

That's interesting about the same smell thing! We also have 2 hens who are probably 12mths too! I was content with the 2 but since coming back into forums I must admit I am quite tempted to increasing flock to get some different egg colours (well only one is laying at mo anyway!)

Mustn't tell hubby about my mad idea as he thinks 2 is plenty as they poop an awful lot and the back lawn is so well trimmed!

Plus, I think I would have to make an external nestbox for them to increase floor/perch space inside their house. Maybe not such a good idea after all....