adding chicks?

[MakelaNJoe]

I got 2 new chicks today about 4 weeks in age? (Sellers info) one buff orphington one americauna.

I already have 2 silkieXpolish chicks who are about 12-13 weeks,

i took the younger chicks to introduce them to the elders i decided to put them in the coop and see how they all reacted. The young chicks were instantly afraid and hiding in one corner then after a minute the silkie mixes came down to start pecking at them which made them run and fly all over i grabbed them out before any damage was done [other then emotional ] i now have them in a box in my bathtub until i can figure out the best way to integrate them. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

 

[N F C]

What you saw is typical behavior when birds haven't been properly "introduced". Your existing birds see the new ones as trespassers and the new ones are at a disadvantage being younger and smaller.

To add new chicks to an existing flock, you first have to isolate the new ones to make sure they are healthy and not bringing an illness to your flock. After determining they are ok, you can begin the integration process using the "look but don't touch" method. Here's a good article that details that process, hope you find it helpful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

Good luck to you!

 

[henless]

You will probably have to raise the two new ones alone for a few weeks. Can you fence in a section of the coop and let the littles live there alongside your older chicks? Then they can see each other, get used to each other and it will make the merger easier.

 

[MakelaNJoe]

Thanks for the ideas!
Today i am going to try to make a mini coop that i can place inside the run so i can put the chicks in there during the day. My orphington is still pretty fluffy still working on her big girl feathers so i will bring them inside at night for a couple weeks. How much protection should i give the chicks in the mini coop? I was thinking two wood sides two sides of "fencing" that way they had a safe corner to go to? Is it true chickens will attack chicks of different color? My orphington is the only light colored chick? With this make her an easy target for thw older chicks? The "americauana"is dark brown and grey but is the orphingtons "sister" will she help protect her sister or would she start to pick on her later as well? Sorry so new to chickens want to get everything right!

 

[Sportill]

I have just successfully introduced my three 9- week old chicks to my four layer hens. But how do I keep the chicks on their starter and then grower feed, and the ladies on their layer feed, when they're all in the same henhouse? I thought there would be lots of suggestions for this but couldn't find any. Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some chickens may attack a chicken that looks different, a Silkie’s feathers, a Polish’s topknot, or maybe just a different color. But most won’t. They are living animals and do not come with guarantees as to how they will act. However, if they are raised together this is really not likely to be a problem. Lots of people have all kinds of mixed flocks without any issues. Keep them where they can see each other for a while and it is very unlikely that being a different color or pattern will be a problem.

A standard way to feed a mixed age flock is to feed them all the same thing, Grower, Starter, Flock Raiser, or something else and offer oyster shell on the side. The ones that need it for their egg shells normally eat enough and the ones that don’t need it as they are not laying eggs should not eat enough to harm themselves. Again, they are living animals and no one can give you absolute guarantees, but the vast majority have instincts that work this way. Most people that try this are very successful.

 

[MakelaNJoe]

Ok so the chicks at 13 weeks have a ood chance to take in these new chicks in a month or two! Hubby is in the process of building my mini run that i can slide into coop or run during the day that way the girls are protected but everyone can still see eachother! Was also wondering about the different foods considering my older gurls should be switching to layer instead of grower in a few weeks.

 

[N F C]

Ok so the chicks at 13 weeks have a ood chance to take in these new chicks in a month or two! Hubby is in the process of building my mini run that i can slide into coop or run during the day that way the girls are protected but everyone can still see eachother! Was also wondering about the different foods considering my older gurls should be switching to layer instead of grower in a few weeks.

Once all your girls are together, you'll want to keep everyone on the grower feed and set out crushed oyster shell that the older girls will eat when they need that extra boost of calcium. Once everyone is laying, you can switch over to the layer feed.

Don't you just love a guy with building skills? My DH get's to exercise his quite often, lol.

 

[MakelaNJoe]

Exactly! Its so handy i was going to make this big messy project trying to make a mine coop half wood half fencing once he saw my idea he asked if he could show me something easier...sure enough saved atleast half my steps and also decied we should leave it mostly hardwire so theres plenty of ventilation and plenty of sight for both sets of chicks and im going to place it in the corner so they will still have a safe space away from the others!

 

[N F C]

Great idea and it's so nice to be able to work together on things!