advice for babies

[marvun22]

i am getting 8 new baby hens tommorow (2 buff orpingtons 3 rir 2 new hampshires). i was wondering the best way to introduce them to my older flock (8 female orpingtons and 1 male ameraucana) i was thinking 5 weeks old i could take them to the elders coup and the elders could at least establish the pecking order with them. and also how do i introduce my elders and my youngers to my even older khaki campbell duck. and if the older chickens establish a pecking order with the younger ones will the younger ones be safe with them alone.

 

[mamazta]

when they are 10 week is the best time.I star at 8 week put mine 6 new one in a dog wire cage for couple hours at the time every day so by the time they were 10 week they were use to each other so now they toghether.

 

[marvun22]

well i do have a pretty big coup so they could spend a couple hours with each other in that each day. but i coudnt with the duck because he is impossible to catch

 

[liz9910]

with the new chickens, you can get them used to each other either by placing them inside of a cage in your coop or maybe in a cage outside of your coop before putting them all together. Not sure about the ducks however.

 

[JodyJo]

I have an established flock and a bunch of new chicks, now the oldest are 10 weeks old...they all free range together, so they "know" each other, but are not housed together, I am about to attempt it soon....give the new ones a place to run and hide, they will get pecked...its not pretty....I would wait a week or so more till they grow a bit larger...then go for it!