Integrating two groups of (new) POL chickens

[carolwildbird]

Hi!

I have just joined the forum, and am in need of some advice, having been away from chicken keeping for several years. I have searched the forum for info, but havent found a post specific to my question, which is about merging two new groups of POL chickens. (Ie NOT introducing to established flock)

I'm about to establish a new (small) flock and have been offered two groups of 3 POL chickens. One group of three (2 marans, 1 welsummer) at c21 weeks old, and the second group of three (2 marans, 1 cream legbar) at c19 weeks old. The two groups are from different sources, but I can collect both groups on the same day.

I have been told that as I will introducing them to an environment which is new to both groups, and will be putting them in it at the same time, there should not be major problems in putting them together right from the beginning: the territorial issue will not exist. (edited to add: I assume there will be some sqaubbles to sort out pecking order, which I will keep an eye on, but not as significant as they would be if I had an established older flock)

Is this Ok?

My set up is

Henhouse 3x3m (shed) with attached fenced run 3m x4m; in bigger fenced orchard area approx 20m x10m.

I plan to keep them in the shed and smaller run for a few days before letting them out into the bigger area.

Ta!

carol

 

[chrismahon]

Good plan Carolwildbird. I'd do exactly that. As you say there will be squabbles as they sort the pecking order out, but should be fine unless blood is drawn. I'd double up on feeders and drinkers and make sure the grass (if any) is very very short. Some of them may not have seen grass and will george on it with the risk of gizzard impaction, which is invariably fatal.

Edit to add:- They may establish their territory faster than you think. I'd introduce both sets at the same time which means holding one set somewhere else for a while.

 

[carolwildbird]

errr... not sure what you meant by "holding one set somewhere else"? i plan to put both sets in their new run at the same time.. I'm collecting them on the same day...

 

[KittyKat]

I introduce new birds by placing them in the housing and letting them walk out on their own. My birds normally free range, so keeping any new birds locked up is not much of an option… they have so far almost always figured out where to go for the night, although I did have some issues with the new birds going to sleep on top of the fence above the coop back when I had only a tiny coop.

I think in your case, you should be best off introducing all birds to the new coop at the same time and you shouldn't have issues keeping them locked in the run for the first week or two.

 

[Marigold]

Hi Carol and welcome to the Forum.

Your setup sounds fine, and I hope you will really enjoy getting back to chicken keeping again.,I agree that putting them in together from the start will help with integration, and under the circumstances I don't see what else you can sensibly do. However, there could possibly be a quarantine problem if the pullets come from different sources. Normally one would try to keep each new batch separate for two to three weeks in case they are carrying any infections or diseases they might pass on. This is usually to protect an existing flock, but it's the same when you intend to merge flocks from different sources. Often, the inevitable stress of moving seems to depress a chicken's immune system so that she is more likely to go down with some malady she might otherwise have resisted. Also, each group will have come from an environment where they will have acquired their own immunity to the local pathogens present, which may be different from those of the other group. Putting them in together from the start will probably help with integration, but there have been many threads in here where people have had a difficult start because they have introduced new birds without proper quarantine, and have subsequently found their new birds have passed on mycoplasma, I.B. or Mareks to a previously healthy flock.
On the other hand, if you are happy about the cleanliness of the two setups they are coming from, and have carefully examined each bird by handling her and having a good look at eyes, nostrils, beak, vent, feather condition etc, have checked they each appear free from parasites, and have observed that all are active and appear interested in life, they will probably be fine. Once they've settled down enough so that all appear to be eating normally, make sure you worm them all with Flubenvet. They will be the right age for this and it will help to keep your nice clean pasture worm free from the start.
I don't want to worry you unduly, but just wanted to alert you to the possibility of other problems than whether or not they get on with each other!