adding chicks to an existing flock

[Coldspringchicken]

I have a new batch of mixed chicks that are about 7 weeks old. When can i add them to my existing flock that are 2.5 years old and 3X the size .I have heard all kinds of ways to do it.--- all conflicting. Any ideas from some one that has done it.

 

[CoopCrazy]

I have and will be combining my newest batch soon.. I try to wait untilt he birds are pretty darn close to the same size.. I am going to do this latest batch a lil early theya re about 12 weeks but have been living right beside and have mingled with my main flock

 

[Panhanle RIR]

Ok here is how i did it i have 5 1 year old hens and 1 1year old roo

i put a large cage in their free run fence and put 4 Standard size pullets 1 bany pullet 1 standard and 1 bany roos
for at least a month to let them work out the pecking order through the cage instead of through blood

when the standards were 8weeks and the banys were 6 weeks i let them out to free range with the adults and only 1 hen fought with the babys so it is in solitary where i may have recently found it to be a roo who never crows because it hasnt laid an egg for 3 weeks

soon ill have to do this again with my SLW and her babys

 

[dreamcatcher]

My older group just turned 2yrs. old, I have 25 chicks that are 7 weeks old and they needed to go outside so we took the chicks in groups of 4 and my husband and I went in the run with them and set them down and stayed in there. Every 5 minutes we had the kids bring 4 more. They got the occassional peck on the head but nothing major and no fussing or fighting.

 

[3chimama]

Then what do you do about the different ages being on different feed??

 

[CoopCrazy]

Quote:
I feed everybody the same thing after 8 weeks or so.... I just feed a good quality meatbird feed and so far my girls look great....

 

[3chimama]

Thanks for the info...does that go for egglayers as well??

 

[bargain]

I wait until 14 weeks to introduce as the young ones are on the coccidosis preventative medicine!and need to stay on it.

Then we do a bit of change up the chickens. Put some adults in temp pens, etc. and also hang cabbage and many ample treats and basically the "hen hierachy becomes broken by everyone become new to each other. I've also tried putting them in the pen at night but being there first thing in the morning (but only did this with a group that was about the same in age.

Monitor, observe, and reshuffle as needed!

 

[Joker69377]

I am facing the same concerns. I have 3 Black Sex Link hens, I don't know how old, but they are older. 3 weeks ago, I purchased 6 Araucana pullets that were about a week old. All are doing great. They pullets have been kept in the house under a heat lamp since I got them.
My run is basically 12 X 20. The coop is about 6X6 and is in one corner of the run. I have fenced off the other 6X6 next to the coop. for the past week, I have been putting the pullets in the 6X6 pen and letting them run, fly and play slam dance with each other. My BSL hens have pecked one or two of the babies through the fence the first couple of days, no damage. Now they just watch each other.
Over the last couple of days, I have noticed new feathers on the pullets starting to emerge.
I put them out in the morning, check on them many times throughout the day, then bring them in around sundown.
First question: when can I let them start staying outside at night?
Second question: When can I start letting them actually mingle, supervised, with the BSL hens?
Third Question: When can I let the stay out permanently with the BSL hens?
I intended on only getting 4 Araucana's, but bought 2 extra in case if something happened, but it looks like I will have all 6 since they are all doing excellent.

I will look back at the sticky's and try to post pics.
I am a new chicken head, and am learning as I go.

TIA

Steve

 

[Joker69377]

Here are some pics.

This is the run

This is the separated enclosure

Feathers starting to emerge