How Do I Introduce New Chickens To My Flock? - Welcome Home Nature

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How do I introduce new chickens to my flock?

You are planning to introduce some new chickens to your flock in order to expand it? But you ask yourself how this is handled best? Follow our advice for a new, happy flock.Your chickens' flock has a pecking order, in which each bird has a rank. So if you want to introduce new chickens, you will need to change the pecking order. For a maximum chance of a quick and successful introduction, with a minimum of arguing, it is best to introduce new chickens in pairs, and according to these tips.

Introducing new chickens to a flock: two steps

First you put the new chickens in their own cage for a while, near your flock. In this way the old and new animals get used to each other's presence and sounds.After about a week it is time for the next step: Introducing new chickens to the existing flock. That is best done at night, when the old ones have gone to roost. Then put the new ones together with the others in the coop. Let the chickens go outside in the morning, and keep an eye on them. Inevitably they will peck and fight, to rearrange the pecking order. After about a week, this should be done. You can help your chickens along at the same time.

Provide enough space and distractions.

Are your chickens able to scratch about? They should definitely get the chance to do that, when you have just introduced new chickens. This way the newcomers can escape a possible attack. Sprinkle some vinegar on the new chickens as well. This way they do not smell each other's scent and accept each other more easily in the coop.Hang treats or sprinkle something tasty in the chicken coop that distracts the old ones, so they do not peck and bully the new ones as much. Place an extra feeding and drinking tray at the same time, so that the old residents do not prevent the newcomers from eating and drinking. If the new chickens do not eat and are constantly chased, separate them again for a while.

If necessary, intervene

Is a chicken bullied to the point of bleeding? Then you should intervene. Separate the quarrelling chickens first during a fight. You may have to do this a few times before the attacks stop. If a chicken persists, separate it from the flock for a few days. If all goes well, she will not attack the new chickens as often after that.

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