Adding new chicks

[VictoryinTruth]

I have my 2 black australorps and 1 buff orpington in my coop/run. They are roughly 2 months old. I want to add my 1 slw and 2 glw with them. They are about 1 month old or so..... what will be the best way to get them together without fatality? I work 2nd shift so I can't be out there to supervise all the time

 

[SueT]

Temporarily divide coop and run into a "see-no-touch" set up so they can get acquainted for a few days or longer....

 

[VictoryinTruth]

Ok.. thank ya.... I try that....

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

I’m am a newbie newbie. 2 our of my 5 chicks turned out to be roosters. At 7 weeks old, I wanted to get my flock together while they were still young. I bought two 5+ week olds, (from a trusted friend) and I put them in my empty run, with strategic hiding places throughout and extra water and food stations. ...then I let my 3 existing babies out.I had a cage ready...in case things went badly. There was a little pecking and pushing...but other than that....all went well.
At night time, I put the 3 older girls into The coop first . Waited till they were sleep, then added the 2 youngsters. Not a peep! Literally. 3 days and all is well...l
Maybe I was just lucky.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Ugh, second shift was my worst shift.

Splitting the coop and run is the best way.
Can be hard to do tho.
Setting up a temp coop and splitting the run might be easier.

Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Mrs. K]

one way gates work the best for me, but really I don't think you will have too much problem, you older birds, are not that much older, and there will be a size difference, but not a huge size difference, and you are adding equal to equal numbers, 3 head to 3 head... All should go pretty well unless you are drastically short of space, and you might be.

A lot of pre fab coops say they will take 6 birds, but really are only big enough for three. They may still get along, if that is what you have, now, as none of the birds are full grown, but may start to create problems later in the fall and winter as they all will be full sized, and roosted for the long winter nights.

It is kind of amazing how what seems like more than enough room for chicks rapidly becomes not enough room for hens. So if you measured, and have ample space, I think you would be good to go. If you start having problems later on, might be not enough space.

MRs K

 

[VictoryinTruth]

That' what I'm hoping... I just "remodeled" the coop and added 6sf...... but some of that 6sf is nesting space..... I build my coop/run for free besides screws and chicken wire.... thank yall

one way gates work the best for me, but really I don't think you will have too much problem, you older birds, are not that much older, and there will be a size difference, but not a huge size difference, and you are adding equal to equal numbers, 3 head to 3 head... All should go pretty well unless you are drastically short of space, and you might be.

A lot of pre fab coops say they will take 6 birds, but really are only big enough for three. They may still get along, if that is what you have, now, as none of the birds are full grown, but may start to create problems later in the fall and winter as they all will be full sized, and roosted for the long winter nights.

It is kind of amazing how what seems like more than enough room for chicks rapidly becomes not enough room for hens. So if you measured, and have ample space, I think you would be good to go. If you start having problems later on, might be not enough space.

 

[trista85]

The see but can't touch method worked best for me recently- I have 5 hens that are a year old and then 3 bantams that are about 6 weeks and a spare buff orp that I adopted from my neighbor that while younger than the banties is the same size lol. Anyway, I divided off part of the run (covered) for the babies so the hens could see them but not get to them. 10 days later everyone is together 24-7 without any casualties. The big girls do assert their dominance, but the babies are respectful.