Little chick in big flock

[angela0408]

So not sure what to do here. I have large 3 week old Ayam Cemani chicks and a 5 day old polish chick. The polish chick had mates mates but it’s the only one that didn’t sell. Odd chick out. I will keep her now, but she’s wasn’t raised with the Cemani’s. She’s actually pretty bonded with us. So question is, do I move her to the large chick pen with the others, or leave her in the baby chick pen by herself. We do have her out for cuddle time twice a day. I’m worried that she’ll get

 

[aart]

I'd pen the chicks separately but next to each other to begin the integration process.
Leave them there for a week, then try putting one of the older chicks in with the single...see how it goes. Swap out the older birds until you find one that will be 'nice' to the chick. After that pair is together for a few days to a week put them all together.

Here's some tips about......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

So not sure what to do here. I have large 3 week old Ayam Cemani chicks and a 5 day old polish chick. The polish chick had mates mates but it’s the only one that didn’t sell. Odd chick out. I will keep her now, but she’s wasn’t raised with the Cemani’s. She’s actually pretty bonded with us. So question is, do I move her to the large chick pen with the others, or leave her in the baby chick pen by herself. We do have her out for cuddle time twice a day. I’m worried that she’ll get

I wouldn’t put her in the pen with the others, only because she will get attacked, especially since she probably looks different, Polish are prone to getting attacked because of the puff on their head.

 

[angela0408]

Actually things seem to be working out pretty well. I put them in a larger pen after exposing them. There’s only 3 other chicks. I have a brooder in there which only she can fit under so she has a place to go. Lots of room to run around so they seem to be cohabiting well. I didn’t want her to die of loneliness. We still get her out for cuddles and she runs to you to be picked up. Thanks for the advice though!

 

[AuntieWeasel]

As she grows up, keep an eye on her interactions. Those beautiful crests are a mighty tempting target for pecking. She may also have difficulty seeing and so miss social cues from the bigger birds. I'm integrating polands into a small flock of pekins and there's definitely some crest envy going on.

Good luck. They're sweet little birds, aren't they?

 

[angela0408]

Yes, I’m really enjoying them. I just got them this year. Luckily he/she has some friends, mom and dad and 2 other siblings, although I know that one is a roo now so I’ll have to see who has the best colouring to keep.