Introducing Chicks to your Flock

In my previous blogs, I’ve talked a little bit about adding chicks to your flock. Hazel, our Wyandotte, is broody so we’ve decided to get a few chicks for her to raise.  Before introducing chicks to your flock, there are several important things to do.

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Quarantine

Disease can spread quickly in a flock. Not only do they live in close quarters, but they are eating and drinking out of the same containers. When you add chickens or chicks to your flock, it’s recommended to quarantine for 6 weeks. However, 30 days should be the minimum. They should be housed in a separate area at least 30 feet away.

Baby chicks need a brooder. Be sure and check out that blog post for more info.

By quarantining your birds, you can watch for signs of illness. It’s easier (and less expensive) to administer medical care to a few birds, than an entire flock.

Make sure the new birds are healthy. Look for signs of illness, including watery eyes, sneezing, and wheezing. They should be active.

Illness

I’m not sure why I didn’t realize that birds can get respiratory illnesses. Sneezing is a natural way to clear the airways of allergens, irritants, and germs.  Separating them at least 30 feet apart will keep respiratory germs from spreading.

Additionally, when feeding and watering your birds, take care of the established flock first, then the new birds. By doing this, you won’t transfer any poop, bedding, dirt, etc. that may contain germs to your existing birds keeping contamination to a minimum.

My husband built a small coop that we use as the brooder. It has an outside door that I’m able to open without stepping inside the area. Chicken poop carries germs. When cleaning the brooder, dispose of any bedding.

Changing the chicken’s environment is stressful for them.

If you’ve acquired or purchased an older bird, try to keep their environment the same, including the type of feed, bedding, and waterer. This will help with the transition.

If you’ve purchased chicks, unless from a breeder, they were shipped to the retailer. When shipped they are usually a day old and will arrive at the store when three days old. I can’t even imagine how stressful this is!

When the bird is stressed, any underlying illness may present itself.  

I like to give probiotics during this period. I’ll alternate between Apple Cider Vinegar and Sav-a-chick every other week for the first two weeks.

In addition to several respiratory illnesses, birds can get Mites, Lice, Fowl Pox, Coccidiosis, Marek’s, and Salmonella. Baby chicks can develop Pasty Butt. Be sure and check out my blog on common chicken illnesses for more information. 

Introduce Slowly

Now that you’ve quarantined for at least 30 days, it’s time to introduce the new birds. We like to set up a separate area inside the run. This way the girls can look at each other and the new girls can get used to their surroundings.

If there are no real squabbles, like your current flock charging at the run or trying to peck through it, after a week, we will let the birds free range with supervision. There will be some chasing, feather pulling, etc. as the birds are trying to establish dominance over the new birds.

Assuming your current flock is older and larger than the new birds, you should watch for any aggressive behavior that could turn deadly. Chickens will gang up on smaller, weaker birds, causing serious injury or even death.

In the past, our older birds have flapped their wings and chased the younger ones. However, after a few minutes, they got bored and went on about their day.

Until the new birds are about the same size as the older girls, we continue to supervise them when free-ranging. Additionally, little ones will be more susceptible to birds of prey.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity is the steps you take to prevent the spread of illness and disease in animals. Quarantining is the first step. Taking care of the original flock first is another step.

Additionally, I have specific shoes I wear in the coop and yard. Generally, I take them off at the back door and don’t wear them in the house. I do occasionally wear them to Tractor Supply.

If you have friends that have livestock, have them change their shoes or offer disposable covers. You don’t want them inadvertently transferring an unknown illness to your flock.

Good handwashing is essential to keeping yourself and your family healthy. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when handling chickens until you can wash your hands. Germs enter the body this way.

Integrating

The birds will naturally flock together. Once the new birds are about the same size, they will be able to defend themselves and should integrate easily. Your original flock already has an established pecking order so you may have some fighting as the new birds try and find their place. Hopefully, this is an easy transition for everyone.

To help with the process, make sure you have plenty of space per bird and the new girls have a place to hide or get away to. There’s more info in my blog post about setting up the Hen House.

We picked up four new chicks today for Hazel. The brooder is set up and we will place them under her tonight. If all goes well, she will think the eggs hatched. Now the fun (and quarantine) begins!