First time chicken keeper in seattle

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firetruck

firetruck

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6 Years
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Jun 30, 2013
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Hi. Let's see I have 2 chickens -- an americauna and a rhode island red. I used to have a sweet little leghorn but she passed away 2 weeks ago. Her name was fire truck ( so named by my son) and in her memory I made fire truck my user name. I am now looking to purchase a black australorps to add to my little flock as I hear they are sweet and docile birds. I do have one problem though, my other girls are 2yrs old and the oldest australorp I can find is only 6 wks old. So I am concerned about adding such a young bird to the other chickens. I have read that I should keep new bird in separate cage near the other 2 for a week or more to let them get used to her. I will try this but at what point is a chicken old enough to join in with older birds? And will they bully her because she is smaller?
 
Hello and welcome...so glad you joined BYC

I have heard it suggested that the new/younger bird at least be the same size as the ones you are introducing them to. I would be very careful leaving them unattended together until she is close to the same size. Another thought might be to obtain 2 chicks. That way she wont have to be alone and when they are finally introduced it wont be 2 against one newcomer. Separating them inside the coop with a wire barrier is a great idea.

Good luck to you
 
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Greetings from Kansas, firetruck, and
welcome-byc.gif
! Great to have you aboard! I also like to have new birds to be at least 1/2 to 2/3 the size of the established birds. Good luck to you!
 

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