chicks with 17-week olds?

[eddiejrnkendall]

We are ultra new to this chicken thing, we ordered 17 week old red sex link layers from a poultry farm that should be ready soon. Meanwhile my dad thought it would be cute and funny to give our kids chicks for Easter...which I was initially unhappy about but now have grown to be very attached to them in the course of 1 week! They are barred Plymouth Rock, straight run. So the 17 week olds will be ready to come home soon, we expect a call anytime...how do I introduce these guys and gals to one another when it is time for the BPR's to go out? Talk to me like a 3rd grader, this is our first time doing it thanks so much for any advice anyone can give!

 

[Fred's Hens]

No!!!!

Chickens are extremely territorial and have a strict, no, rigid social order based on POWER and determination. The strong rise to the top and weak sink to the bottom. Everything they do is based on this flock pecking order which can extend to a flock of 30 birds, each with an assigned place in that flock. This order is subject to change, but the rules are tough on ascending.

We gave up long ago with dealing with integrating. We wait until the younger chicks are virtually fully gown and then? It can be a fair fight and yes, it is often very much a fight.

There's things you can do when the time comes to ease the introductions. Won't go over all those now. For now? No way. Chickens can and do harm other chickens, even to the point of death.

 

[eddiejrnkendall]

Ok, thank you for your quick response. I will find a way to keep them separate.