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Barnyard Buddies:  Integrating chicken breeds  |
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Fire Escape Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Mikko
Delmar
NY
USA
15 Posts |
 Posted - May 01 2008 : 10:57:56 AM
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Can you tell I just can't get enough of this forum lately?
So I'd love any tips from personal experience that anyone has about integrating 2 different flocks of chickens. We have 12, one year old Barred Rock hens and 1 rooster. They live in deluxe accommodations -- a 8X8 hen house with 12 nesting boxes and a 15 X 20 enclosure.
We have 12 new 6 week old Polish chicks living in a breeder box in the house. Everything we've read says that it is nearly impossible to integrate a younger flock with an older one, that it takes 4-5 months, and even then they should be free range during the day to give them more space to get acquainted.
We were planning to divide the enclosure in half with chicken wire and add onto the chicken house. We would free range them all as much as possible, but the problem is that the Barred Rocks have a habit of taking off to the neighbor's farm, which isn't always the most friendly place.
Any and all thoughts, ideas, advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcome. I can only summit the mountain by standing on the shoulders of giants.
Thank you my giant friends.
Because farmin' is charmin' |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 5:18:20 PM
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I have done it lots of times. If they hvae enough room and there are enough of them in each group they will be fine. The feathers will for sure fly at first..but unless you put in one or two new ones with an established flock they usually get used to each other after awhile. It is fun to see them stay in groups..like rival gangs..for a couple weeks though.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 08:30:57 AM
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One of the best ways that I have found to introduce "new" chickens to an existing flock, whithout the "fuss and flying feathers" is to put the "new" group of chickens in temporary cages INSIDE the chicken house.
Yes, it's a bit of a pain because you have to keep feeders and waterers filled all over the place, but after about a week (maybe less) the other chickens will get so used to seeing the NEW birds, that they won't bother them TOO MUCH once the cage door is opened and the captives are released.
Jenny is right though, the older chickens WILL establish a pecking order with the new birds no matter WHAT you do, but you can be assured that the process will be a lot less "messy" than if the new birds were just let loose in the chicken house from the get-go. Good luck! ~~~ Tracy |
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Farm Girl 2
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Becky
Willis
VA
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 11:38:32 AM
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Like Aunt Jenny I too have done it several times and I am more worried about "The What If's" than what could ever go wrong. We put so much work and love in to getting them this far and do not want to add any stress on them but they will be fine, especially with the amount of room that you have. I am not sure that I want to try having them turned loose on the first day because the new ones might not go up with the others especially if there is a conflict. That would be my luck.
Good luck! I am sure they will be buds soon.
Becky
Loving Living Simply!
http://sunnymorningfarm.blogspot.com |
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craftychick06
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Darlene
fennville
Mi
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - May 04 2008 : 06:24:50 AM
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We add new chicks every spring and yes the others are right about the pecking order but that will always be. I agree with putting them in a cage for a few days so the hens will have a chance to just get used to the idea of new kids coming in the coop. They should be fine though we have never had a problem. My girls are very territorial and dont leave the farm. Guess they know the grass isnt greener on the other side of the fence huh!!! LOL Dont know a soloution for yours leaving though. GOOD LUCK!!
**LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY** |
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Barnyard Buddies: Integrating chicken breeds |
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Integrating chicken breeds
