more new girls!

i got new chickens! a black jersey giant, around 7 months, we named her opal (because she's opalescent). and we got a buff orpington, around a year old, named Charlotte. they're pretty skittish but want to be included and are very curious. so now i have a total of seven girls. i know i explained how to introduce the new girls into the flock the right way, but i have learned and experienced more things and that are to their benefit and health.

one, make sure the hens you get are the same size and close in age when you get them. you don't want to mix a 2 month old with a 5 year old hen (etc), because the older hen is stronger, more dominant and likely to seriously hurt the younger, and the younger hen is more susceptible to diseases the flock might be caring, and visa versa.

two, make sure the new hens you get are buddies and get along. opal is more attracted to the flock and wants to be around them because she most likely didnt have any "friends", which is good for her; but charlotte most likely had a buddy, and now she is depressed and not wanting to be with the flock-which equals less eggs, and a poor immune system. so when you pick up the birds, be sure to ask the owner if the girls you get are "buddies", or just choose two (or more) that you see hanging around close each other. chickens do become very depressed if their buddy is seperated in any way from them; they are just as emotional (in their chicken way) and caring about their pals as people are.

three, take your time to check the birds to see if they look healthy or if they have anything wrong with them. check the home they are in and see if it is kept well and clean (ig they are able to have fresh air, and protection from weather, and are being given plenty of good food, etc). the lady i got opal and charlotte from had a good life, but i wasnt able to stick around to do all these things, so there is always a risk in getting new chickens to add to your flock, as it is with all animals.
a wonderful book i recommned to all chicken owners is "chicken health handbook", which talks about all the diseases chickens can get and how to prevent them from getting diseases, maintaining a low stress level in the flock.