Adding to existing flock

[bunky8384]

We currently have 12, almost 4 to almost 5 week old chicks. (4 are a week older than all the rest) We would like to get 8 more bringing us up to 20. Obviously we will keep the new chicks in a brooder for a couple weeks but how do I go about introducing them when the time comes?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hope you find this article helpful ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/

It’s worked well for me when adding new members of the flock. Good luck with your new birds.

 

[bunky8384]

Hope you find this article helpful ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/

It’s worked well for me when adding new members of the flock. Good luck with your new birds.

Great article! Thank you!! I do have one question though. This all is geared towards hens, is the process any different when introducing pullets to pullets? Would 6 weeks old pullets have enough of a pecking order established to cause as much issue when bringing new 3 week old pullets into the mix?

 

[rosemarythyme]

There's less pecking order issue with younger birds (as they don't yet have a strong social order) but the bigger issue for you is the size difference between the older and younger ones, which certainly can cause some bullying. It's a little harder to create safe spaces that only the youngest ones can get into, but you can still use other integration tricks like adding obstacles to break up the space, multiple feed stations, etc. Or break up the run by fencing off part of it for the younger ones, and once they're closer in size, they should be more or less ok to go in with the rest.

 

[Mrs. K]

One makes a lot of assumptions, when they read a post, so I might be wrong. But it sounds like you are first time owners, and may have a disease called chicken math, where as 'this is fun, we should get more...' We have nearly all been there.

My point is, chicks are pretty small, and what seems like a lot of space for chicks and lots of room left over for more birds, can quickly become not enough space for full grown birds.

My advice, is to measure, with 12 full size birds, you should have a coop (building part) that is measuring 6x8, or 48 square feet, the run should be 120 square feet. For 20 birds you should have something around 8 x 10 square feet coop, with a 200 square foot run attached to that.

These are for full size breeds, some breeds tolerate confinement a bit better and you can cheat on the numbers a little bit... but it is good to know just where you are, and a rule of thumb is a good place to start.

If you have taken this into account, I apologize, I mention it, because space looks so deceptive when they are little, and space is the biggest problem in a flock not getting along.

Mrs K

 

[bunky8384]

One makes a lot of assumptions, when they read a post, so I might be wrong. But it sounds like you are first time owners, and may have a disease called chicken math, where as 'this is fun, we should get more...' We have nearly all been there.

My point is, chicks are pretty small, and what seems like a lot of space for chicks and lots of room left over for more birds, can quickly become not enough space for full grown birds.

My advice, is to measure, with 12 full size birds, you should have a coop (building part) that is measuring 6x8, or 48 square feet, the run should be 120 square feet. For 20 birds you should have something around 8 x 10 square feet coop, with a 200 square foot run attached to that.

These are for full size breeds, some breeds tolerate confinement a bit better and you can cheat on the numbers a little bit... but it is good to know just where you are, and a rule of thumb is a good place to start.

If you have taken this into account, I apologize, I mention it, because space looks so deceptive when they are little, and space is the biggest problem in a flock not getting along.

Mrs K

We have a 12x12 coop and are just starting on the run which will be big enough for them all, we have just over 3 acres.

 

[Mrs. K]

ok good, just making sure.

 

[aart]

If at all possible, put your brooder right in the coop so they all can start getting used to each other from the get-go.

I integrate chicks young, but that's too full grown birds, so the tiny doors might be tricky:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
Might try the tiny doors when the newbies are just one week old.
Good luck!
Let us know how it's works out
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