Adding a 4 month old to a flock of 6-8 week chicks...is this ok??

[ChickieBonBon]

Someone in my area is selling orpington pullets that are about 3 - 4 months old. Can I safely add one or two to an established flock of youngsters (6-8 weeks)? Some of my young ones are bantams, but two are larger. I just don't want anyone to get hurt!!

Thanks for helping a newbie that is terrified of her chicks being eaten!!!

 

[RAWR]

have they all met one another???

 

[phaethona]

I'm new to this too, but I found out the hard way that you can't introduce one chicken to an established flock. your situation may be different because of their ages, but I had to re-home an 8 week old because we thought it was a rooster(we can't keep them here). we gave him to a friend who has 5 RIRs(1 year old) he gradually integrated him and then let them all range together and they seemed to be ok together, but on the 4th day together they pecked him to death.

I have 2 flocks that are a few weeks apart and am having some bully issues, but I don't think any of the younger ones will get seriously hurt or killed because there are 6 of them and the can kinda defend one another. If it were just one or two, they'd probably be overwhelmed. so I guess my point is that chickens use safety in numbers. but again, your situation may be entirely different because your introducing older birds to younger ones rather than young to older(like I did)

good luck!

 

[RAWR]

you can put them all in a pen together, and fence it off so they can check each other out with out anyone dying

 

[ChickieBonBon]

I was planning on introducing them slowly...let them see each other with a divider between. I think the size difference might help since the newer one is the larger of them. Just not sure if it would be best to add this older pullet or keep looking for younger birds. Although I feel like it might be tough either way. Sounds like there is no easy way to bring in a new flock member.

phaethona - sorry to hear about your roo!

We can have roosters, but I still thought about giving them away. However, I am really attached to them so I think they are staying where they are.

 

[Katy]

Be sure and quarentine the new one for 30 days so you don't introduce illness to your chicks that you already have.

 

[ChickieBonBon]

Good point! This newbie would not have thought of that!! THANK YOU