Adding chicks to a solo hen- a few questions

[member 615286]

I have two 5 week olds (Easter egger and welsummer) that I am prepping to transition to share a run/coop with a 10 month old silkie (last one standing, she’s been on her own for 2 months).
Questions (re: food & behavior):
1. How do I keep the chicks eating the starter grower feed and silkie eating the layer or should I just put both out and let them eat whatever they choose?
2. I’ve read up on the “see no touch”/general practices for integrating them. Being new to chickens, any special considerations with the dynamics of a *single* hen and *two* chicks? When the barrier is removed,
Id like to better understand/anticipate any pecking/bullying behaviors (in general and considering the dynamics). What might I see exactly? Ok behavior versus something to “break up” (I’ve read let them do their thing unless there is blood. What might this look like? … puffing of chest, chasing, pecking, all out wrestling match/flapping disaster looking like they might kill each other (and to be ok with it?). When does it become concerning ?

When they “meet” for the first time (without separation) should I do one at a time so the chicks don’t gang up on her ? (Collectively they are bigger than her), or just let the three of them work or out?

trying not to break something up prematurely resulting from my own panic

Grateful for any redirection to other posts/ blogs as well.
Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

1. Feed everyone whatever the youngest birds are eating. Have oyster shell and/or clean broken eggshells out for the hen to supplement calcium as needed.

2. I would only be concerned if there's harassment which leads to physical injury, or there's resource guarding (i.e. food) which is causing the chicks to not be able to eat or drink for extended periods of time.

puffing of chest, chasing, pecking, all out wrestling match/flapping disaster

... is all what I'd consider normal and I wouldn't interfere.

I would NOT introduce 1 chick at a time. Even if they're as big as her already, they're still younger and should defer to her. Size is not the determining factor as who is top dog.

 

[aart]

Have places the chicks can get away from the older bird that are not dead ends.
What will you do about chick heat?

 

[member 615286]

1. Feed everyone whatever the youngest birds are eating. Have oyster shell and/or clean broken eggshells out for the hen to supplement calcium as needed.

2. I would only be concerned if there's harassment which leads to physical injury, or there's resource guarding (i.e. food) which is causing the chicks to not be able to eat or drink for extended periods of time.


... is all what I'd consider normal and I wouldn't interfere.

I would NOT introduce 1 chick at a time. Even if they're as big as her already, they're still younger and should defer to her. Size is not the determining factor as who is top dog.

All very helpful
Thank you

 

[member 615286]

Have places the chicks can get away from the older bird that are not dead ends.
What will you do about chick heat?

Thank you!
I am decreasing the chicks heat in the garage now per others advice.
And maybe after this weeks cold snap get them outside. (They’ll be 6 weeks).

But…there will be plenty more cold nights before spring.
I have had a brooder plate in the coop with the silkie this winter tho she doesn’t use it unless it’s in the single digits.
I will keep it in there bc I’m assuming the others will not be huddling with her as they aren’t bantams(?) and it will only warm if the chicks are against it.

It has a heater setting however i think it’s *too* hot for the coop (10 sq ft) and can’t be adjusted (on the heater setting it burns to the touch, surface temp reads 170+ degrees (!!?))
Open to suggestions!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you!
I am decreasing the chicks heat in the garage now per others advice.
And maybe after this weeks cold snap get them outside. (They’ll be 6 weeks).

But…there will be plenty more cold nights before spring.
I have had a brooder plate in the coop with the silkie this winter tho she doesn’t use it unless it’s in the single digits.
I will keep it in there bc I’m assuming the others will not be huddling with her as they aren’t bantams(?) and it will only warm if the chicks are against it.

Once they're weaned off heat, acclimated to outside temps (and moved out), and fully feathered the cold snaps shouldn't be an issue, even for young birds, as long as they have a draft free place to huddle, so I wouldn't put out the heat plate with them. But I don't know how "cold" your cold snap temps are.

 

[Lizzy733]

With only one girl left and her being a silkie, you might not find much resistance. She will be the only potential aggressor - your chicks won't be starting things with her.

I'd start getting them out a little bit in the heat of the day - should help them harden up. Just keep an eye on their behavior and go by their comfort level. If they look cold, bring them back in.

Get them in a small pen - like a puppy play pen either in the run or where you can free-range your lone hen. Bring her up to them and observe her behavior through the pen.

She may be disinterested, curious, showy, or downright aggressive and rush the pen. Depending on the type of behavior she exhibits, you may be able to cut days off your see but dont touch approach.

When you first mingle them, sit out there and watch them closely.

My flock got quite low this year - down to 3 hens. With my silkie broody and one other hen spending ages laying, my third would get a bit lonely. By the time I integrated chicks, I think everyone was ready for some new faces and nobody put up much of a fuss. There was a bit of posturing, but my 4-5 weeks integrated in 3 days, and I've done 3 more integrations this year, some single pol pullets, and I was averaging 3 days, so very happy with my girls and their easy-going nature this year.

Once integrated and mingling, you can still bring them in the the evening to avoid the cold. You may be pleasantly surprised with your girl's attitude. I know with my silkie, I can trust her around stranger chicks and pullets and don't have to worry about her causing issues. She won't mother them, but she will tell them off very gently. My newest silkie had one go at our latest on her first integration day (actually they had a go at each other) and that was it. New girl lost and then they were best mates with no other squabbles, so it's not always blood and violence.

When I had my shavers, it was another story - they were very chick-aggressive and integration was a slow steady process with lots of stepping in and playing roo.

 

[member 615286]

Once they're weaned off heat, acclimated to outside temps (and moved out), and fully feathered the cold snaps shouldn't be an issue, even for young birds, as long as they have a draft free place to huddle, so I wouldn't put out the heat plate with them. But I don't know how "cold" your cold snap temps are.

Single digits! Thank you!

 

[member 615286]

With only one girl left and her being a silkie, you might not find much resistance. She will be the only potential aggressor - your chicks won't be starting things with her.

I'd start getting them out a little bit in the heat of the day - should help them harden up. Just keep an eye on their behavior and go by their comfort level. If they look cold, bring them back in.

Get them in a small pen - like a puppy play pen either in the run or where you can free-range your lone hen. Bring her up to them and observe her behavior through the pen.

She may be disinterested, curious, showy, or downright aggressive and rush the pen. Depending on the type of behavior she exhibits, you may be able to cut days off your see but dont touch approach.

When you first mingle them, sit out there and watch them closely.

My flock got quite low this year - down to 3 hens. With my silkie broody and one other hen spending ages laying, my third would get a bit lonely. By the time I integrated chicks, I think everyone was ready for some new faces and nobody put up much of a fuss. There was a bit of posturing, but my 4-5 weeks integrated in 3 days, and I've done 3 more integrations this year, some single pol pullets, and I was averaging 3 days, so very happy with my girls and their easy-going nature this year.

Once integrated and mingling, you can still bring them in the the evening to avoid the cold. You may be pleasantly surprised with your girl's attitude. I know with my silkie, I can trust her around stranger chicks and pullets and don't have to worry about her causing issues. She won't mother them, but she will tell them off very gently. My newest silkie had one go at our latest on her first integration day (actually they had a go at each other) and that was it. New girl lost and then they were best mates with no other squabbles, so it's not always blood and violence.

When I had my shavers, it was another story - they were very chick-aggressive and integration was a slow steady process with lots of stepping in and playing roo.

Thank you this is all very helpful! I will observe they closely I’m hopeful she’ll be happier with them around she’s been so lonely for over 2 months now.
I am less worried about their integration behavior at this very moment and more about the temperatures this week!! Still being a novice and raising the three silkies in the spring…

 

[member 615286]

Once they're weaned off heat, acclimated to outside temps (and moved out), and fully feathered the cold snaps shouldn't be an issue, even for young birds, as long as they have a draft free place to huddle, so I wouldn't put out the heat plate with them. But I don't know how "cold" your cold snap temps are.

Wednesday night will be -7