Adding new chicks....

[salsss]

Hi all, I've been reading all about your experiences and am so thankful this forum is here!

I have 6 chicks in a brooder downstairs... and am adding 4 more on Tuesday. Both groups of chicks were born the same day. I'd like to add the newcomers in with the original 6.

My plan is to get a bigger brooder (I bought a large dog cage) and put all 10 in there at the same time. I thought it would break up the original chick's pecking order being in a new place and give the others a better chance to assimilate.

Does my line of thought make sense? Or do I have to divide up the larger cage and let them watch each other through wire?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[micah wotring]

I think that they should be fine just putting them all together.

I am no expert but if you have any other questions post 'em

Hopefully somebody knowledgable will join in and help you.

MW

 

[salsss]

I mean they have not been out in a flock...either group. So do the segregation rules still apply?

 

[micah wotring]

I always thought that the pecking order was started once they reach maturity.

That's why I thought that they should be fine just putting them in together.

However I may be wrong.

I say just put them in together sometime when you have time to watch them for an hour or two.

If they don't fight enough to hurt each other than I think they should be fine.

If they are hurting each other then just take the aggressive ones out and integrate them as you would with full grown hens.

That's what I would do

MW

 

[micah wotring]

Update me when you put them together.

Hope they all integrate fine.

MW

 

[salsss]

I have decided to go with the huge dog kennel (larger!) and put all 10 in together. Those EE's play rough and I didn't want them to have the upper hand...so they'll all go somewhere new. Hope it works!

I do see some dominant EE's by the way. My flock outside better watch these guys!