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ADDING OLDER CHICKENS TO A NEWER, YOUNGER FLOCK #781496

Asked February 08, 2022, 1:19 PM EST

I have three older hens (Light Brahma and two Speckled Sussex) that I want to add to my newer, younger flock of roughly 20 chickens. How is the best way to achieve this with the least problems?

Montgomery County Tennessee

Expert Response

There is always a risk of introducing disease when adding new birds to a flock.  If you raised the chicks yourself, that will minimize the risk since you should be aware of their health history.

I would wait till the pullets are laying before combining the flocks since they will then all be on a layer feed. You don't want immature pullets to have a layer feed since the excess calcium could cause health issues.

I would recommend having a separate pen with the three older hens and adding three of the younger hens and watching them for three weeks. If no disease symptoms appear, it should be safe to combine both flocks. If the older hens get sick, your younger chickens have a subclinical infection. If the older hens are fine, but the younger ones get sick, your older hens are carrying a subclinical infection.

Dr. Jacquie Jacob Replied February 08, 2022, 1:32 PM EST

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