Hello! I've read a lot on here about integrating younger chicks with your existing flock, but I haven't seen much about adding new chicks in with chicks you've already had. I have (approximately) 2 week old chicks that I've had since they arrived at the feed store. I assume they arrived at the feed store at a couple days old but I can't be sure. I could provide a pic if it would help determine they're age. Can I add in new chicks with them without any issues since they are so young? Or do I risk the new additions being pecked and picked on? Should there be a certain age of the new chicks?
As long as your chicks are under 5 weeks, there shouldn't be any real problems with adding new ones. Five weeks is when chicks normally develop their pecking order. Just be sure that you add them in at night when it's dark.
At 2 weeks old, you can almost every time just drop them in the brooder with your current chicks. I had several hatches and orders this year and cycled them through the brooder at various points - most of the time, there was a 2 week gap between hatches, sometimes more, sometimes less... Until your chicks get into the 5 or 6 week range, they'll likely accept them with curiosity more than anything. Just last week I added a pair of 5 week old Svart Hona and a dozen 3 week old bantams to my outdoor coop of 8 week old mixed LF pullets. There was normal pecking order behavior, but the smaller chicks have never been in danger of an "attack" to date. I'm not a fan or the adding to coop at night philosophy and don't do it, or recommend it unless you can get to the coop before daybreak to let them out and have room to adjust and work out their differences. That being said... Some people do it and like it, and have had success.
Well, these chicks are still in a brooder box not even in the coop yet... Space is a little more limited lol. That was one concern, there isn't a run and hide area. But they're way under 5 weeks, still mostly fluffy chick feathers. They still have their light on them so they don't have a typical "night" but they do calm down at a certain time in the evening, usually around 7:30pm or so.
