I know a lot of people recommend adding the new chickens to the old chickens at night by putting them in their coop. I'm not sure I want to go that route because I won't be able to monitor their behavior when they get up in the morning so I'm trying to figure out what the next best option is.
I have 5 adults (reds and orpingtons) and the new ones are 11 week old 2 marans and 2 eggers. The marans are nearly the same size as the reds. They've been in a cornered off area of the uncovered chicken run for the past two weeks and have visibility to the adults. One of my marans did get out accidentally after 2 days while I was doing some cleaning and one of the reds plucked out some of her breast feathers. I let the adults free range in the back yard which is fully fenced in the evenings about 3 days a week.
Which of these options would be the best for introduction:
I also question whether to clip the wings of my littles before or after introducing them to the rest of the flock. The adults have their wings clipped. They have not gotten out of their little enclosure yet but I know they have the ability to because they have gotten out of enclosures that are taller than what they are in now. If I don't clip them they can maneuver an attack from the adults easier and get to safety but they may get out of the run and not want to go back in.
I have 5 adults (reds and orpingtons) and the new ones are 11 week old 2 marans and 2 eggers. The marans are nearly the same size as the reds. They've been in a cornered off area of the uncovered chicken run for the past two weeks and have visibility to the adults. One of my marans did get out accidentally after 2 days while I was doing some cleaning and one of the reds plucked out some of her breast feathers. I let the adults free range in the back yard which is fully fenced in the evenings about 3 days a week.
Which of these options would be the best for introduction:
- Let them all free range together
- Let the littles out into the rest of the uncovered run while the adults are free ranging and then let the adults back in and give them all treats together.
- let both out together enclosed in the uncovered chicken run
- any other ideas?
I also question whether to clip the wings of my littles before or after introducing them to the rest of the flock. The adults have their wings clipped. They have not gotten out of their little enclosure yet but I know they have the ability to because they have gotten out of enclosures that are taller than what they are in now. If I don't clip them they can maneuver an attack from the adults easier and get to safety but they may get out of the run and not want to go back in.
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