adding our 8 week old girls to the pen!

[jhd0997]

Question: my husband and I are adding 6 new members to our pen. We have 2 existing hens who have been occupying the place all themselves. The chicks are 8 weeks old. Will the 2 hens that have always been in there eventually welcome them???

 

[chicklover 1998]

they should eventually accept them, it may take a while or not my 3 RIR girls don't like my new girls but my ameraucana hen loves them, and so does my roo while he doesn't cuddle with them like my hen he does go up to them and doesn't peck them.

 

[jhd0997]

Great to hear! Thanks!

 

[chicklover 1998]

yep not all will respond the same way, I have heard some horror stories but I have never had trouble but my brooder was set up right next to where they were so the chicks whole life was spent next to the big guys so they could here each other, you can keep them in a cage around the big girls that is also a great help, and another option is to put them on the roost at night.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. These links may help you out a little. Basically, I'd say that the "look, don't touch method" is probably the generally accepted approach.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1015820/reintegration-by-supervised-visits#post_15742910

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224

All the best
CT

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. I wouldn't introduce them at night. You may find out they got picked on when you let them out in the morning. The Look but, don't touch method is the best way .