Adding one chick to the group?

[LittleMissCountry]

One of my friend's daughters is doing a class project that involves a chick. She can't keep it and asked if we would take it. It will be an older chick at the time we would get it, not sure how old yet.

Would it be possible to add one chick? I know the group doesn't typically accept new chickens easily and one of mine can be fairly aggressive with the pecking. We lost a chicken last month, so we currently have three chickens.

They don't know anyone else that has chickens already.

 

[Evelyn Walker]

It will be very stressful for a lone chick to be integrated into a flock. Young flock-mates always stay together when integrated in with strange birds (think 'safety in numbers'), and it can really help if there isn't a single target for pecking. That being said, you would probably just follow the usual 'look but don't touch' technique that's commonly used, and just be sure there are extra feeders, waters and hiding spots for the newcomer.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

What you can do is take a chicken out of your original chickens to be buds with the new chick (once its big enough) and once they form a "flock" you can put all 4 together. It will be easier to add 2 then just one chicken to an existing flock.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

It will be very stressful for a lone chick to be integrated into a flock. Young flock-mates always stay together when integrated in with strange birds (think 'safety in numbers'), and it can really help if there isn't a single target for pecking. That being said, you would probably just follow the usual 'look but don't touch' technique that's commonly used, and just be sure there are extra feeders, waters and hiding spots for the newcomer.

I could do that, like I did when integrating one back in when it was sick for awhile. I am not sure about it, though. I know they will have to give it to someone, so it will either be a single chicken (which isn't the best), or it will have to go to an existing flock with someone else.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

What you can do is take a chicken out of your original chickens to be buds with the new chick (once its big enough) and once they form a "flock" you can put all 4 together. It will be easier to add 2 then just one chicken to an existing flock.

Good idea! I did that when one of mine was sick, then was getting bullied when put back in. I can also separate the aggressor if needed for awhile.

My buff orp lost her buddy, the other buff orp, and she would be the best choice as she is pretty laid back. The two black stars are not super friendly.

My buff orp goes broody a lot. What would be the oldest the chick could be and still be sneaked in as a "hatched chick", if she goes broody again? That would be convenient.

 

[Mrs. K]

When I got my meat birds this spring, one was a goof, and was a laying bird. So after 8 weeks, when I harvested the meats, I had this one chick that was about 9 weeks old. I got her into the flock.

However, I do find several of her feathers (hoping a juvenile molt) I have several feed bowls hidden from birds at a different feed station, lots of room and space and hideouts.

I did let the flock out of the coop/ and locked the 9 week old chick in the coop/run set up. This allowed her to explore the set up on her own. I did not let the others in till nearly dark.

She is at the bottom of the pecking order, she does get mild chases, and no one will really eat with her, but they are not killing her, and when she starts laying, she will fit right in.

You can do it, you need the hideouts, and extra feed stations, but it can be done.

MK

 

[LittleMissCountry]

When I got my meat birds this spring, one was a goof, and was a laying bird. So after 8 weeks, when I harvested the meats, I had this one chick that was about 9 weeks old. I got her into the flock.

However, I do find several of her feathers (hoping a juvenile molt) I have several feed bowls hidden from birds at a different feed station, lots of room and space and hideouts.

I did let the flock out of the coop/ and locked the 9 week old chick in the coop/run set up. This allowed her to explore the set up on her own. I did not let the others in till nearly dark.

She is at the bottom of the pecking order, she does get mild chases, and no one will really eat with her, but they are not killing her, and when she starts laying, she will fit right in.

You can do it, you need the hideouts, and extra feed stations, but it can be done.

MK

Thanks, I can easily add some hideouts and extra feeders into the run area. I already have several watering stations since it is so hot right now.