How soon can we introduce new chicks to our lone 9-10 week old pullet?

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jktowey

jktowey

In the Brooder
Apr 26, 2015
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It looks like we'll be able to get new chicks sooner than expected (which we're excited about). Our current lone chick is about 9-10 weeks old, and I'm trying to figure out the timing of when to get the new chicks and when to try to integrate them into a single flock. We're looking to get 3-4 more chicks and have them in a brooder and in our sun room until they are old enough to go in a coop outside. Should we try to introduce our pullet to them before they are ready to go outside? Our pullet currently free ranges in our back yard and sun room, and sleeps in a kennel-turned-coop in the sun room.
 
I have learned it's best to introduce new chicks at night. The chickens/chicks seem to think they magically appeared over night an were already part of your flock. Alot less stress on tha new chicks
 
PeAckAnBiTs said:
I have learned it's best to introduce new chicks at night. The chickens/chicks seem to think they magically appeared over night an were already part of your flock. Alot less stress on tha new chicks
Click to expand...
Not necessarily true.....someone said - 'chickens are stupid, but not that stupid'....lol!
I've read more fails than successes with this method.


I'd keep your chicks separate but within sight behind wire. If the brooder is in the sun room and the older chick has access to that area, that's a good start in letting then get to know one another. Hopefully the brooder is mesh on at least one side so the new chicks are visible to the older one.

Your older bird being alone might accept the chicks sooner than if it was part of a flock. Keep them separated by wire and see how it goes, I wouldn't try to put them together until the new chicks are of a good size.
 
aart said:
Not necessarily true.....someone said - 'chickens are stupid, but not that stupid'....lol!
I've read more fails than successes with this method.


I'd keep your chicks separate but within sight behind wire. If the brooder is in the sun room and the older chick has access to that area, that's a good start in letting then get to know one another. Hopefully the brooder is mesh on at least one side so the new chicks are visible to the older one.

Your older bird being alone might accept the chicks sooner than if it was part of a flock. Keep them separated by wire and see how it goes, I wouldn't try to put them together until the new chicks are of a good size.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Let them get used to each other first.
 
aart said:
Not necessarily true.....someone said - 'chickens are stupid, but not that stupid'....lol!
I've read more fails than successes with this method.


I'd keep your chicks separate but within sight behind wire. If the brooder is in the sun room and the older chick has access to that area, that's a good start in letting then get to know one another. Hopefully the brooder is mesh on at least one side so the new chicks are visible to the older one.

Your older bird being alone might accept the chicks sooner than if it was part of a flock. Keep them separated by wire and see how it goes, I wouldn't try to put them together until the new chicks are of a good size.
Click to expand...



Okay, thank you! We were thinking to wait until the new chicks were 4-5 weeks old before trying to integrate them with the older pullet... would that be old enough, or should we wait a few more weeks? I know our lone chick probably needs some friends, but also don't want to rush the process.
 
jktowey said:
Quote: It's hard to say from here.....you'll have to decide when/how to try it.

You could also make a small door(or two) in the little chick enclosure, small enough for the littles but too small for the bigger chick.
Then the little chicks can go in and out(you'll probably have to show them) of their safe haven....and they'll integrate themselves slowly.

I did this using a wire dog crate with the door removed and in it's place some fencing with the small door......
.......I've seen someone just wire the door so it stays open the right amount for the littles.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
This was the first iteration.....I later removed the crate door completely, changed the mesh over the door and just bent a corner up.



 
Just do it on a day yu can devote to just watching them and put them together abd see how it goes...if there not getting along then separate them but keep them where they can see each other......that's what I always do....but I usually wait till chicks are month and a half old so that there able to fend for themselves or atleast run away
 
I introduced 2 new chicks with my other 5 ... it took a couple of days, but all have adapted just fine ... at first one our new Hampshire reds did not like the newbies and would chase them away from the treats ... but she has settled down.
 

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