Bringing new chicks into the group

[lbartsch]

Hello everyone:

Need some advice. We have three one year old hens (a RR, a SL Wyandotte and an EE). We want to get two more chickens in order to get the number of eggs we actually use. I'd like to get two new chicks now but my only concern is integrating them into the flock and coop with the older ones. What is your best advice on how to do that with the least amount of drama?

Thanks!

 

[americanvalkyrie]

There will be drama, and there might even be blood. I suggest keeping them separate until the chicks are large enough to take a bit of a beating. They will immediately work to establish pecking order once they're introduced. Right now I have mine separated by a wire fence, so they're getting acquainted with each other, but the fence is keeping them from establishing who's boss. In a few months I'll let them run around together, but not yet.

 

[mikebarry]

americanvalkyrie.... I'm going through the same situation. We have one Araucana, 2 Buff Orpington and 1 Delaware. We have a 48" x 96" chicken coop and a 72" x 144" chicken run (converted dog run). Did you use chicken wire to block off a section of your run for the chicks? Or did you make them a space in the coop (out of the sun) for them to feed and grow?

We started with 2 female pair each of Araucana, Buff Orpington, Delaware, and Rhode Island Reds (totaling 8) in 2009. Over the past 3 years we've lost 4 (have 1 Aaraucana, 2 Buff Orphington and 1 Delaware) and want to add at least 2-3 more but definitely do NOT want them picked on or brutalized during their "chick" phase. Unfortunately, we don't have a second coop or run available for the chicks to mature.

Should I section off the coop for the chicks with chicken wire for them to all get acquainted? Should we try to keep to the same breed(s)?

I don't want to lose any more, so your input would be great.
Michael

 

[americanvalkyrie]

My hens are running free around my yard, but I have a cage for the chicks that's right in the middle of the yard. The hens tried to bully the chicks through the wire for the first few days, but lately a few of the chicks have gotten out and have not been bullied. But that also might be because the yard is more than big enough for everyone. I have a friend who does what you're suggesting: wiring off a section. So far, I haven't heard anything negative about combining the groups after keeping them separated only by wire.