Chicken Meetings

[iskihi1]

I recently got 10 new chicks that are almost 2 weeks old. I only have one chicken left from my old flock. I am trying to figure out the best way to get them together and when I should start trying. The chicks are currently set up in the garage. My sole survivor (Jewel) is in a decent sized secure coop and run. It won't be long before the chicks will outgrow the garage setup. Would it be cruel to give Jewel the boot her from the coop and only be in the run so I can move the chicks into the coop.

 

[sourland]

What about moving Jewel into the pen the chicks are using and moving them into the coop? Once they acclimate to the coop and run try reintroducing her to her new flock.

 

[MamaBelle5]

I recently got 10 new chicks that are almost 2 weeks old. I only have one chicken left from my old flock. I am trying to figure out the best way to get them together and when I should start trying. The chicks are currently set up in the garage. My sole survivor (Jewel) is in a decent sized secure coop and run. It won't be long before the chicks will outgrow the garage setup. Would it be cruel to give Jewel the boot her from the coop and only be in the run so I can move the chicks into the coop.

What happened to the rest of the flock?

I don't think I'd do that, unless you moved Jewel to another safe, secured area at night, like a dog carrier in the coop.

Would it be possible to do a temporary set up where they are beside each other so Jewel can get used to seeing them? I wouldn't take them outside yet where I live because it snowed last week (and is 80 today!) so the temps are really unstable this time of year. Last spring when we added 4 new birds to our established flock of 5, we closed in the bottom of the coop (3 sides) and used hardware wire on the fourth side that was in the run. We then set up a small run that butted right up against the main run. Is it possible to do something like that? Even if you move Jewel to the underside?

 

[iskihi1]

Jewel had three sisters. Lost one to a hawk, one broke a leg and had to be put down, and one just died last Fall. The garage setup is not suitable for an adult chicken. It is about a 10 square foot cardboard enclosure. The run attached to the coop is secure with food, water and perches but I might be able to build some temporary partitions in the coop. Thanks.

 

[MamaBelle5]

Jewel had three sisters. Lost one to a hawk, one broke a leg and had to be put down, and one just died last Fall. The garage setup is not suitable for an adult chicken. It is about a 10 square foot cardboard enclosure. The run attached to the coop is secure with food, water and perches but I might be able to build some temporary partitions in the coop. Thanks.

If you could make a temporary enclosure for her in the run, that should be okay, but you will probably have a little difficulty integrating the flock. Unless you block off part of the run for Jewel and part of it for the new chicks that you can do the "look don't touch" method.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I don't normally put chicks raised by myself in with the main flock until they are six weeks old, but with one single chicken, I think I'd try to introduce her to the new chicks by four weeks or even sooner (depending on your weather and their need for supplemental heat), with observation of course, and a period of "look don't touch" between her and the chicks.

 

[Pghelp]

See if you can find a small hutch or dog crate to isolate her and let the littles get used to the run. She may still bully them so make sure your run has lots of stuff to provide hiding places. One thing I did was latch the coop so the littles could get in but the opening was too small for the old ones. That can give them a respite from being picked on!

 

[aart]

Put Jewel in the run, and the chicks in the coop, then open the pop door at night and see what happens.
Might need to crate Jewel in the run for some hours each day if she is too aggressive.

 

[iskihi1]

Figured out how to get a partition in the coop. The chicks are in. Hopefully Jewel will behave herself when she goes in for the night.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Figured out how to get a partition in the coop. The chicks are in. Hopefully Jewel will behave herself when she goes in for the night. View attachment 2623609

Oh goodness, that heat lamp with that hay makes me nervous. Is that a see but no touch setup? That's how I always brood my chicks. We are on batch 4 of chicks and integration was smooth again. Heres my 3 week olds with my 1 year olds. No chasing or bullying (a peck here and there to make them get out of the way)