6 week old chicks - add another??

[Janie1972]

Hi, need some advice. I had four chickens 6 week old chickens and found out they are probably cochins. They are so cute and very friendly. I pick them up every day and handle them a bit to get them used to people. I lost one to predators this week and now am being VERY vigilant and locking them up better at night. So, I think I need another chicken or two because of the three that are left one appears to be a rooster. He is the only one getting what looks like a comb on his head. So I am not sure if two hens are enough for me. But since they are cochins, they are going to be larger right? I don't want them to be cramped in their chicken tractor and I don't know if it is hard to add a new chick in with the three already established in there. Any advice would be welcome. Jayne

 

[mljohnson05]

If you can post pictures, I can tell you if they are boys or girls and help with breed...Also are they standard or bantams?
Ans a picture of your tractor will help too.
Then I can help with how much room you need for each chick.
As far as bringing in mew chicks..YES it can be done.
If the new ones are younger then you want to wait til they are all the same size (to reduce the chances of being picked on
then you want to place the new ones in a wire cage that is big enough (like a dog kennel) and put that in with the other roaming chickens until they get use to each other.....This can take several weeks for them to work things out: so NEVER leave them unattended until you know how they get along.

Once you post pics I will be able to give you more information

Best Wishes,
Laura

 

[serenityNH]

I just introduced 4 week old chicks with 2-3 week old chicks and it went very well. I introduced them outside in a neutral pen I set up so they would be more interested in pecking and finding bugs then each other. They acted like it was no big deal and they new each other forever-and they are still getting along wonderfully!
I would just keep an eye on them and make sure everyone is behaving and give them something to keep their attention and you should be fine.

 

[Azriel]

I would add more than 1, if you can get 2 about the same size and color you should be fine at that age.