how many friends for chick?

[chickland]

I have a lonely one week old chick. Should I buy one or two other chicks to keep it company? They would all be the same age. If I buy two chicks that have already spent their first week together, would my chick integrate well with them? Or should I just get one so they both have to start their friendship from scratch?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Your chick is still quite young.

Even if you got 3 day old chicks things would work out.

One week olds are pretty accepting of newcomers. If you can find one week olds that would work well.

I have added 4 day olds to 3 week olds with only a little pecking.

A small age difference is usually ok.

 

[oceansunset73]

YES definitely get her some friends. Your little chick will be happier with flock mates.

A week old is still very young so it won’t matter integrating with other week old chicks.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

I was going to say I have added 1 day old with 3 week Olds and they pecked only because the RIR have a red dot on the beak as chicks... other then that all went well.

Chickens are social creatures and do prefer friends. I have 23.. so they each have 22 other buddys

 

[Talithahorse]

I think either would work although often places will not sell a single chick as they need friends (as you know or you wouldn't be asking). I would probably do two new ones for a trio but I have done a single chick added to make a pair. Do what you want, the chick will do fine with either. When I do that I also tend to pick them all up together in my hand, rearrange or turn out the lights for a minute and that seems to be just enough to confuse them for a minute as to who is who. They then seem to be like they were always together.

 

[Talithahorse]

Oh, we would love to see pictures of your sweet thing....

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would get 2 more, just in case something happens to one of them, the remaining chick wouldn't be alone.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

I have a lonely one week old chick. Should I buy one or two other chicks to keep it company? They would all be the same age. If I buy two chicks that have already spent their first week together, would my chick integrate well with them? Or should I just get one so they both have to start their friendship from scratch?

 

[chickland]

thanks everyone
I got 2 new chicks.
They are getting along now. At first my original chick was pecking the newcomers, which was the opposite of what I thought would happen.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Very cute! BTW you might want to add some bedding to their area, wire is hard on their feet and chicks especially find ways to get their toes and feet stuck in little gaps and holes.