2 new chicks

[calichicken]

Hi! I am going to be adding 2 new Bantam Cochin chicks to an existing group of 6 chicks. They are all 11 weeks old and in their coop. The 2 I am adding are actually hatch mates to the group and have been out of the group for 11 days. (Friend took the pair and didn't work out ). Will the group still remember them? And tips on re-introducing them to the group is very much appreciated!

 

[azygous]

Chances are good that the chicks will remember the faces of the two late comers. Chickens have very good memories for faces of their peers, as well as the humans they encounter.

You will likely see this little ritual occur when you plop the two "new" chicks in with the others: The dominant chick(s) will greet the new-comers with a peck on the forehead. That is probably it. However, given their age, it could involve a little display of play fighting. Chicks are like human kids in readily accepting new chicks into their midst, and then carrying on as if they had been together all along.

There is a chance, though not very high, that a particularly aggressive individual might target a very docile individual from the new arrivals. You will need to keep an eye on them in case a bullying syndrome starts up where a timid one is kept from eating. Having another feeding station is a good idea to safeguard against this.

 

[calichicken]

Chances are good that the chicks will remember the faces of the two late comers. Chickens have very good memories for faces of their peers, as well as the humans they encounter.

You will likely see this little ritual occur when you plop the two "new" chicks in with the others: The dominant chick(s) will greet the new-comers with a peck on the forehead. That is probably it. However, given their age, it could involve a little display of play fighting. Chicks are like human kids in readily accepting new chicks into their midst, and then carrying on as if they had been together all along.

There is a chance, though not very high, that a particularly aggressive individual might target a very docile individual from the new arrivals. You will need to keep an eye on them in case a bullying syndrome starts up where a timid one is kept from eating. Having another feeding station is a good idea to safeguard against this.

Yay!!! I was hoping they weren't out of the group long enough to be remembered! I have 2 feed and water stations for the group because I just felt it was a good idea! DEFINATELY plan to keep an eye on them to make sure all goes well. Thank you for your advice!

 

[calichicken]

Chances are good that the chicks will remember the faces of the two late comers. Chickens have very good memories for faces of their peers, as well as the humans they encounter.

You will likely see this little ritual occur when you plop the two "new" chicks in with the others: The dominant chick(s) will greet the new-comers with a peck on the forehead. That is probably it. However, given their age, it could involve a little display of play fighting. Chicks are like human kids in readily accepting new chicks into their midst, and then carrying on as if they had been together all along.

There is a chance, though not very high, that a particularly aggressive individual might target a very docile individual from the new arrivals. You will need to keep an eye on them in case a bullying syndrome starts up where a timid one is kept from eating. Having another feeding station is a good idea to safeguard against this.

I am going to integrate the 2 today....do you recommend placing them in the coop at night when the group goes in for the night or during the day?

 

[azygous]

You can kill two birds with one stone, pardon the pun, by letting the two newbies get used to their new home by installing them in the coop early in the day so they can become familiar with it. Close it off to the other chickens until dusk, then let them in at the last minute. Chickens are usually intent on settling in for the night to mess with each other.

Then when they all wake up together, you can then supervise the reunion.

 

[calichicken]

You can kill two birds with one stone, pardon the pun, by letting the two newbies get used to their new home by installing them in the coop early in the day so they can become familiar with it. Close it off to the other chickens until dusk, then let them in at the last minute. Chickens are usually intent on settling in for the night to mess with each other.

Then when they all wake up together, you can then supervise the reunion.

Lol! sounds like a plan! Fingers crossed after they check Each other out.. they will settle in! Thank you so much for your help...I'm pretty sure I am more anxious than the chicks...lol!

 

[FT Chickens]

Lol! sounds like a plan! Fingers crossed after they check Each other out.. they will settle in! Thank you so much for your help...I'm pretty sure I am more anxious than the chicks...lol!

Let us know how it goes.

 

[calichicken]

Let us know how it goes.

Will do!!! planning a "hang out in the coop day " tomorrow with a cold drink, good book and chickie spoiling!

 

[aart]

Were the 'new' chicks in this same coop and run before they went on their 'vacation'?
Are there any other birds involved?

Not sure they'll remember each other and have a 'happy reunion'.
11 days might not be too long, and chickens do supposedly have a remarkable memory for faces, but they can also be rather(viciously) protective of their territory and resources.
I'd be ready to have a separate 'see no touch' area if needed...wire crates can be very handy for this type of thing.

The 'basics' of lots of space, multiple water/feed stations, and places to 'hide' may be well employed here.
Best of cLuck!


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.

 

[calichicken]

Were the 'new' chicks in this same coop and run before they went on their 'vacation'?
Are there any other birds involved?

Not sure they'll remember each other and have a 'happy reunion'.
11 days might not be too long, and chickens do supposedly have a remarkable memory for faces, but they can also be rather(viciously) protective of their territory and resources.
I'd be ready to have a separate 'see no touch' area if needed...wire crates can be very handy for this type of thing.

The 'basics' of lots of space, multiple water/feed stations, and places to 'hide' may be well employed here.
Best of cLuck!


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.

Thank you so much! Yes they were all together since hatching and have only been separated for their 11 day vacation. I have a dog crate on stand by, as well as hardware cloth if needed to section off. There are no other chickens, as this is my friends starter flock.

Great coop with plenty of room and fun objects for interest...stumps, branches, leaves ect. It also has a little porch, as well as chairs that they can hang out and under.

Currently have 2 feed and water stations but will add another just to be safe!

Planning on adding the 2 a couple of hours before dusk to explore the coop without the gang...then put everyone in at dark to roost for the night...hang out in.the coop in.the morning when I let them out and see how they do!