Adding new chickens/ducks to the flock

Date sort Score sort
critter lover

critter lover

In the Brooder
May 21, 2016
10
0
12
Hello!

We are new to having ducks and chickens. We have a mixed group of chickens that are a few months old that we would like to add two black australops to. The other chickens tried to attack the new ones. Will they get along in time?

We also have three pekins that are a couple of months old and we are trying to add two mallards to the group. The pekins kept trying to sit on them and bite them. Will this get better or will we have to keep them separate?
 
You are trying to introduce kids to kids, that never goes easy or quickly. You need to keep the new ones separated but within sight of the existing birds for a few weeks before trying to let them mingle, depending on your birds personalities it could be good in a week or it could take months before everyone tolerates each other. The smaller the area the harder it is to add more. It's always best to let one group grow up together than wait until they are adults to add another batch.
 
We bought all of our critters from tractor supply and the people there said it shouldn't be a problem adding the new ones to the brood since the others weren't that much older. We will try splitting the runs in half so the new birds can see the old ones and see how that works out. Thanks for the advice!
 
Most tractor supply people mean well but don't actually know chickens. Just keep at it. I let mine mingle until things get rough than I separate and try the next day eventually everyone tolerates each other. Your existing birds are trying to drive out what they see as intruders to their territory, so they need to get used to new members and to no longer see them as intruders.
 
That makes sense - I didn't think about it that way. We are splitting the run today so they can see each other but not touch. We had already discussed separating the roosters with another coop and adjoining run, so we will use the new area for the "get to know you" phase and then switch them out when things are better. Thank you!
 

Similar threads

J
    • Like
Creating 2 flocks instead of integrating new pullets
Replies
4
Views
888
Tonyroo
Tonyroo
FlockinAround
    • Love
Adding to our one-chicken flock...
2
Replies
19
Views
2K
FlockinAround
FlockinAround
ElGoose
Adding brahma roosters and Muscovy ducks to my goose flock?
Replies
8
Views
875
ruthhope
ruthhope
A
    • Like
Who should I introduce first???
2 3
Replies
20
Views
2K
BigBlueHen53
BigBlueHen53
Ritakprkns
    • Like
Adding to the flock
Replies
8
Views
609
Ritakprkns
Ritakprkns

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom