Adding to existing flock

[BTinks]

I'm just planning ahead for this spring when I'm sure I will be unable to resist the chick fluffs at TSC. We currently have a flock of 33 standard sized hens who are all around a year old. We just recently lost our rooster and I am thinking of getting another one when we get some chicks. I'm thinking of getting a couple large fowl pullet chicks and a few silkies pullets and a silkie cockerel. How does it usually go adding new young ones to a flock? What age seems to be the best for integration? Will it work to add silkies to my flock if I have a couple large fowl chicks in the group of newbies?

 

[Judy]

Mixing Silkies or other bantams with large fowl sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Silkies especially tend to get their top know pecked. If I were going to do this, I would have a separate coop and yard available for them if needed. But ten you really need a separate one for the new chicks to grow up in, anyway. At least with days olds from the feed store, there should be no need for quarantine. This is a pretty good thread on the subject:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/803815/integrating-two-groups/0_20

 

[BTinks]

Thanks, that link was really helpful!