Adding new bantam to the flock

[TundraChick]

I have a 2 coops. One has 9 -8wk old pullets mixed BO, SLW, EE and one lone Brahma bantam. I would like to move the brahma into the coop with my 2 silkie girls who are about 6 months. When is a good time to do it? I would like to do it soon before it gets really cold here. There really isn't too much size difference at this point. Any suggestions?

I think the brahma is a boy. I wonder what a red & a white silke hen and light brahma roo would give me in chicks. Hmm!

I forgot to mention that my Silkies free range in late afternoon and the brahma has never free ranged. Will he follow the girls around?

 

[TundraChick]

Come On! Where's the love?

 

[Chelly]

I just added four bantams to my group of standard babies, I say babies, they about 8 weeks.
They're all the same size, the bantams and standard babies.
We just put em together and that was it - the bantams did peck at the chicks once or twice to get them in line, but overall the intro was VERY smooth. I still see the bantams chase the babies around now and then, but for the most part they're all fine.

 

[Windy Ridge]

Sometimes it can be easy to introduce birds, but more often it's not. Luckily, both Brahmas and Silkies aren't really known for being overly aggressive. Still, better safe than sorry.

If I were you--just my opinion--I'd put the Brahma in the Silkie coop in a little kennel or roomy cage where they can all see each other and get acquainted over the course of a few days, but they won't actually directly mix (except through the wire). Fortunately, since they're all your birds, you don't have to worry about quarantine, like you would if you had purchased a new bird from another flock.

When you feel they're ready, let your Brahma out at twilight, as it's getting time for them to go to sleep. Or you may want to remove him from his area while he's sleeping and put him on the roost with your Silkies while everyone's sleepy. When they wake up, there will PROBABLY be little trauma.

Good luck!

 

[Windy Ridge]

Ah, egh... we cross posted. Looks like a good idea--exactly what I had in mind.

 

[Rebel Chicken]

Just remember when they do come in contact with the new bird there may be some unruly pecking and attacking. This will not last forever. They are just determining pecking order. If the birds start making the new bird bleed or suffer take him away and try again later.

 

[TundraChick]

Thanks everyone, but I am thinking about waiting. The brahma is just starting grower and the hens are on layer. Not sure he would be ready to eat layer feed yet.