So you bought some new chooks!

The first thing you need to do is isolate them away from the main flock in a separate pen, but in sight of the other chickens.

Worm and dust them straight away.

You will also need to dust the new chickens after a week.

This will break the lifecycle of the lice.

While isolated, it is a great time to observe your chickens.

After a week (if possible), move the new pen closer to the hen house so the chickens can check each other out, leave them like this for a few days.

It is best to move the new chickens into the hen house at night and place them on the perches with the main flock.

Then in the morning, feed extra and include food that will keep them occupied – i.e. silverbeet, cabbage etc.

As we all know, chooks have a pecking order.

There is bound to be some discussion on where the new arrivals will fit into the pecking order.

Now is the time to keep a close eye on your chooks.

If you have a rooster, he will usually be the peacemaker, if you don’t, you will have to intervene if things become too violent.

Usually, the hens will sort it out without too much fuss.

Some things to think about when introducing new chooks: 

1. Never ever put a new rooster in with another rooster. This will only result in much bloodshed or death. 

2. If introducing young pullets into the flock, make sure that they are roughly the same size as the other hens - there will be less fighting. If smaller, keep them in a separate pen till they are big enough. 

3. Bantams should be kept in separate hen houses, as they would only be continually bullied and harassed. 

4. Some breeds are more highly strung, generally speaking, the hen laying breeds are more flighty where the heavier breeds are more placed, but there are always exceptions to this rule. 

Once your new chickens have been welcomed into the flock, there shouldn’t be any dramas. You can sit back enjoy your new friends!