How do I integrate new Chicks?

[TheDocter21]

I am integrating 5 two month old chicks with 7 one month old chicks, then I will be integrating 2 silkie chicks that are to be hatched/delivered at the store this Thursday. How should I integrate all of my chicks? I know I need to wait on the silkies for a while, but when is the time for them all?

 

[chickengirl778]

You need to integrate them nice and slowly. First, probably just put the brooders next to each other. Then, put them in one box with wire separating them, or cut holes in the sides of the boxes so with wire in between them so they can see each other but not interact directly. Then, try putting them in the same box. Make sure they have lots of room, plenty of food and water, and watch out for little fights. If a "fight" goes on for more than a couple seconds, separate them and maybe pick up one chick. It will take awhile for them to get used to each other. It helps to have places to "hide" in the brooder, like roosts or something else to hide behind.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Make sure you quarantine the newbies for a month. This will make sure they carry no diseases that could harm your flock. Keep them in a separate space (silkies in one space, 2 months olds in another, and the one months old in another). They should be many feet away from each other, but keeping them inside (like in a garage or spare bathroom) is better. After you have quarantined and made sure they are healthy, bring in something like a dog crate into your already existing chicken's run/outdoor area. Let them stay like that for at least a week. This will allow them to see each other and become familiar without hurting anyone. After that, you can start giving them supervised "play time". Pecking is normal, but make sure no blood is drawn. I would put the newbies back in the separate space at night, but let them hang out during the day. Check on them constantly. Make sure there are extra feeding/watering stations as the existing chickens may not let the newbies get to the food or water. Depending on the breeds you have, you may need to extend the see-don't-touch phase. If you have any questions, let me know! Good luck!

 

[JMotuzick]

The 2 month olds should be fully feathered and headed outside now or very soon! The 1 month olds are a few weeks behind. The 8 week olds should go out and then the 1 month in the coop in a doggy crate. Keep heat on for another week of 2 for the little ones. Then let them mix as discribed above. Do the same with the next batch. Some even say to brood right in the coop in a wire separator.

 

[TheDocter21]

Thanks, we won’t be getting the 2 month old for a week, the silkies will come first.

 

[JMotuzick]

Really should keep them all separate for a month to make sure they are all healthy and no issues. Once they have reached the end of the Corentine. Mix together as described above.

 

[TheDocter21]

The two month olds are already outside, a friend wanted to raise hem for us for a while. Should we keep the two month olds outside, slowly integrate the one month olds in with the two month olds, and then integrate the two silkies when they are around a month old?

 

[JMotuzick]

Sounds about right

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

The two month olds are already outside, a friend wanted to raise hem for us for a while. Should we keep the two month olds outside, slowly integrate the one month olds in with the two month olds, and then integrate the two silkies when they are around a month old?

Just make sure to quarantine first.