williamspencer98 Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Hi, im not getting chickens until March 2012 but i want to be prepared! Ive found a farm that will breed all of the 6 breeds i want. But because theyre all different breeds, theres a good chance theyll be in different coops before i purchase them. So when i bring them home, can i put them all in the coop/run at the same time? Seeing as though theyre all new? Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Hi, yes you can put them all in the run together when you get them. They will have to sort out a pecking order amongst themselves, so you will find that there may be some pecking and chasing until that is done. It is perfectly normal behaviour, so don't be alarmed! It is much easier to introduce them all together, rather than adding new ones to an existing flock, so that is definitely the way to go. Good luck with them when you get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memphisto Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Awww March seems such a long way away! Firstly, you will thoroughly enjoy your chickens, I guarantee you that and well done for getting prepared in advance Tweety has given you some excellent advice there, I would echo what has been said. They may be OK, they may recognise the scent of others. I picked two on Sunday and 2 today, they were in together in their pen at the breeders and I had concerns there would be fighting but I am hoping they'll be OK, that they'll 'recognise' them. I got some great advice lower down the forum regarding this. I initially had 3 girls, I got 2 more a week later and I kept them seperate for a day, the new ones decided that they wanted to be with the big girls, they got a peck from each of the existing flock and a bit of chasing, but it lasted a few hours at most, then settled, but this is the exception rather than the rule. I got two more in October, to add to the 5. As I had acquired another coop and kept them away from the big girls but they could see them. They've gone in with the big girls now and all is well. Although they have their own coop, they now have started going in with the big girls of their own accord. I think I have been lucky and it isn't always like this, sorting out the pecking order can be vicious. You could get some ant pek spray to spray on them all but I have done that and it has minimised the pecking but they will have to sort out the pecking order themselves, it's worse for us to watch I think. Welcome to the forum by the way! It's quite addictive, just as much as keeping chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 yes you can, they will be a lot of argy bargey but they'll sort it out It is a good idea to have a back up plan if a hen gets injured though so having a dog crate or rabbit hutch is a good idea Do take guidance from your breeder on whether the six breeds you have chosen are suitable to live together though, its lovely that you know what you want but sometimes our choices arent right for the birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
