Adding Chicks

[johnnyg1]

I have three 6 month olds (1 rooster and two hens) I just got three day old chicks. I have them seperate, and realize it will be a while before I can introduce them, but any idea how long 3, 4, 5 months????

 

[nanawendy]

I had been told , when they get the same size. But have heard differently... if you watch and guard, some introduce eariler. I'm interested as well. EXPERTS ...YOU WHO!!!

 

[midget_farms]

I think 3 or 4 months will be fine -

There are 2 trains of thought on introducing new birds to an existing flock.

1. Pen them next to each other for a couple of weeks - where they can see & interact w/ each other but not touch. This gives the old hens time to get used to them & therefore not kill them.

2. Toss them in after dark. Chickens can't count & won't know if they wake up with more chickens than they went to sleep with.


I personally have used # 2 on several occasions & have never had an issue. They will still need to go through the pecking order adjustment but they don't get agressive at all. Even when I put in very young birds (8 weeks old). As long as the existing flock is asleep when you add the new birds they will do fine. They can even wake up while you are adding them. They go right back to sleep & don't remember you were there in the morning.

Have fun!