Adding new chickens to our flock

When I first let my new ones, or newly relocated, out I do so just an hr or so before coop time. They don't go so far and returning is easier for them....especially if you've been throwing treats! Just chuck a few into the run and they follow. Then just increase the time as they get enough practice at returning.

I'm sure you have done this before.... probably the same way.

They are lovely hens, by the way. If the old gals are still laying at all, you're lucky. I believe you said they were 3 or 4?

They are 3+. That's a good idea...limited free ranging. Maybe I'll start by letting them out close to coop time and just increase a bit every day. I also think they will follow the older gals in the beginning to get the lay of the land.

Amazing how food brings them back...although, my older ones come back when they hear me call out "Mama's here." I've been saying that to them since day 1. I'm Mama!


My neighbor gave me 4 boys for my girls since I was down to no roosters. I told her as long as she didn't mind they might end up in a canning jar. She said she would be so happy to know that her birds fed my family. So I'm up to 9 birds. She also said one of our other neighbors is planning to bring some by. (?) Apparently my lack of roosters has been of some interest to the neighbors, lol. Whatever I probably won't keep more than one, if that many.

@MoonShadows when I got new birds and started free ranging them I waited until about an hour before roost time before letting them out and then got them back with the feed bucket. Did this for a day or two and then let them range all day. They won't wander too far for the first day or two and your older girls should show them the way home anyway.

@lcertuche maybe your neighbours found a place to take surplus or unwanted roosters? Either way, it sounds like a good way to get some free meat for canning

That's what I am going to do, Sumi. I was going to start today, but.......

National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning for our area just updated:
Starting Monday evening.
Snow accumulation: 18-24 inches.

Looks like the hens will be locked in the coop for a few days. It might be a while before they can free range.

I have a tarp over half of the grazing area...we made sure it was clear of all old snow and ice but we are worried it may cave in. Don't want to take it off so we will be removing it every few hours...with a snow rake. Hoping it will be ok.. My chickens will be outside for some of this snow...

They are calling it "monster in the making". Being so very close to @MoonShadows, we may very well get 18 to 24 inches of snow and will be a record breaker, I am worried. I am totally as prepared as I can be. Just have to get the plow vehicle filled with gas. We plow our private road of 7 homes and some of the driveways.

We are as prepared as we can be also...food, gas for generator, etc. I am planning to shovel out to the coop and shovel the run every few inches or so that falls tomorrow. On Friday, the new hens spent most of the day outside in that snow. Hmmmm, you got me thinking. My run should support a tarp over a portion of it. It is constructed of 2 x 4's with welded wire across the top and very sturdy. Just might do that. I still can't wrap my head around 18-24 inches when it looked like we were going to escape old man winter's grip the last few weeks.

On a good note, but not in time for this blizzard, on Saturday we went ahead and gave our electrician the OK to install a Generac 11K Standby Generator. It probably won't get installed until April, but at least we won't have to worry about our ancient Coleman not working, lugging 40 lb cans of gas, and going out into the shed to get it started whenever there is a problem. It's going to cost us about $5500, but we think it is a good investment especially as we grow older.

DH used to install Generacs. He'll tell you it's the absolute best thing to do, they're fantastic generators. And he says that's a good price! Someday we'll do the same.

We are on the line between 6-12" and 10-20". Should be interesting. I thought this was over. It's been below zero windchill all weekend too.

Nice @MoonShadows This is how it looks in the summer..of course you are only looking at half the tarp.It is allot of square feet. We have cut that in half for the winter as there would be no way to take the snow off this large area.


We use the tarp to wart off Avian Virus in summer. It is not really meant for winter but we have found the chickens go out more when it is snowing if they have some cover...

NH Homesteader said:

DH used to install Generacs. He'll tell you it's the absolute best thing to do, they're fantastic generators. And he says that's a good price! Someday we'll do the same.

We are on the line between 6-12" and 10-20". Should be interesting. I thought this was over. It's been below zero windchill all weekend too.

Click to expand...

Our electrician said they are the best, too.