Bringing in new chicks ! Help

[Valentini2011]

Please see my post that I put on another chicken page. Need help with this and knowing what to do. Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know where you got your recommended number. I've seen recommendations of 1 square feet per chicken with no mention of a run outside to 15 square feet per chicken plus a run. There is nothing magic about those numbers. We live in such varying climates, with different flock make-ups, use different management techniques, have different goals, and so many different things that there is no one number that is perfect for all. You can follow the link in my signature if you want some of my thoughts on that.

If you live where the chickens can be in the run practically all day every day and you manage them so that they have access you'll probably be OK with that coop and run for 8 adults hens. If you live where they will spend long periods of time, like days, in the coop only you could have issues.

How old would the Australorps and ISA Browns be when you are ready? Differences in ages when they are immature can be important. You are dealing with living animals, no one can give you any guarantees as to behaviors. And I consider your space tight for any integration.

Some people are able to just add new chickens and it work out. These people tend to have a lot of room and quite often a separate place for the chickens to sleep. Neither your coop not run qualify as a lot of room.

There are techniques to improve your odds. Housing them side by side across wire for a week or three can help them get used to each other. Having widely separated feeding and watering stations can help a lot. If there is a big difference in size some people provide a safe haven, a place the small can go that the older can't follow them. Having clutter can help. This means having places they can hide under, behind, or over to break line of sight. I try to not force them into sharing a small space where they "have" to get along. I try to give hem room and time to work those things out on their pace. I don't now which of these is appropriate for you.

Sometimes these things go so smoothly you wonder what all the worry was about. Sometimes it is s disaster. I wish you luck.

 

[Mrs. K]

No, add new birds next year. You will have some experience. When the birds get full sized, you are going to be very close to your max at 6 head. Get some experience, find out what really works, and what doesn't in your set up, in your climate.

I vote no.