How to introduce a chick to the flock...?

[galefrances]

Boisseau95

Maybe you just need to keep her away longer. The mother probably thought the runt wasn't going to make it. If you keep her away until she's stronger and then try the play pen method it might work better. I don't know, just guessing. Good luck to you

 

[boisseau95]

Yes, I think so, too. She is still pretty little, but not much smaller than the rest of the chicks. At least she's made it this far!

 

[boisseau95]

Hey everyone! Well, we have been unsuccessful trying to merge our young chicken with the rest of them. They are all about 8 weeks old, but our little one is the only one that has been raised by us, and been living in a cage, not in the coop. We have tried a couple of times to put one of the other chickens in with her but the other one will pick on her constantly. How bad is it to keep her separate till they are bigger? Will they cause more damage when they are all bigger? Please help again, thanks!

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Hey everyone! Well, we have been unsuccessful trying to merge our young chicken with the rest of them. They are all about 8 weeks old, but our little one is the only one that has been raised by us, and been living in a cage, not in the coop. We have tried a couple of times to put one of the other chickens in with her but the other one will pick on her constantly. How bad is it to keep her separate till they are bigger? Will they cause more damage when they are all bigger? Please help again, thanks!

I read that by removing all the chickens from the run/coop and changing/adding new "playthings" then putting them all back in together, it would break the tention a little... then everyone is new!
Chickens cannot recognize flockmates until they are 24" from eachother.
Scatter treats, make tunnels, roosts...

Or remove the hen for a few days and put her back in. Then she is the new one but big enough to hold her own!

 

[DawnB]

Hi all...know that this thread's been around for a while, but my question goes along with the other info...I love the idea of playpen method and it would work well for us...I'll be getting my first batch of chicks this spring (ordering Saturday! Yay!)

Anyway, I adopted an established flock last fall and everyone's around 2yrs. We want to get chicks now to make sure we maintain egg production. My question...what AGE do you begin introducing. I've read they need to be in the brooder at least 8-10wks to be under the heat lamp...but I keep finding all kinds of answers about what age to introduce.

I'm looking for your experience on this? I know that in this thread, you were talking about introducing just one back in...but I'll have 15 new ones to intro to 15 "old birds"... What are your thoughts?


Thanks so much!
Dawn

 

[silkiemelon]

Hi all...know that this thread's been around for a while, but my question goes along with the other info...I love the idea of playpen method and it would work well for us...I'll be getting my first batch of chicks this spring (ordering Saturday! Yay!)

Anyway, I adopted an established flock last fall and everyone's around 2yrs. We want to get chicks now to make sure we maintain egg production. My question...what AGE do you begin introducing. I've read they need to be in the brooder at least 8-10wks to be under the heat lamp...but I keep finding all kinds of answers about what age to introduce.

I'm looking for your experience on this? I know that in this thread, you were talking about introducing just one back in...but I'll have 15 new ones to intro to 15 "old birds"... What are your thoughts?


Thanks so much!
Dawn

Wow, I was just randomly going through old threads and this one came up! Yah it has been a while

Anyway, I know this isn't the answer you are looking for, but it truly does vary. I put my chicks out at 8 weeks, but before I do that I let them free range a little bit with my older chickens, so my older chickens at least are familiar with them.
The fact that you have 15 is very good. They will probably stick together as a group, and a less chance they'll get picked on. Versus if you just put a group of 3 out there
Of course, they will get picked on a little bit. It is only expected. Your older ones will establish the pecking order. So don't be alarmed if a couple of your hens get a little aggresive with the chicks. But in my experience, its usually just a 2 day thing in which the pecking order is established and then everything returns to normal. If your flock consistently beats up your younger chicks, then there would be a problem.
But honestly I think it will be just fine!

 

[DawnB]

Thanks so much...I'm still new enough to this chicken thing (and even newer to chicks) to be clueless...I like to ask a ton of questions. We'll see how things go.

Thanks again!

Dawn

 

[kidsbme3]

I do believe that chickens like most birds euthanize (for lack of a better word) sick bitties. I would think trying to save this chick would only decrease your chances for a strong healthy flock. If you aren't breeding then it would be all right I suppose to encourage its re-introduction. From experience however, weak Chic's make weak adults.

 

[chickenfinch]

I am wondering how to do this, too. I have a VERY small flock (two barred rocks) and am planning on addding 3 new chicks this year. The barred rocks will be about 1 when we will be getting the new ones. Thanks for any help or advice!

 

[silkiemelon]

I am wondering how to do this, too. I have a VERY small flock (two barred rocks) and am planning on addding 3 new chicks this year. The barred rocks will be about 1 when we will be getting the new ones. Thanks for any help or advice!

Well, it is easy enough. The chicks will outnumber the adults, but the adults will be the superior. The chicks should be introduced when they can at least (somewhat) hold their own. I wouldn't do any sooner than 6 weeks. They will get picked on, it's inevitable, the adults will try to establish the pecking order. They will be 2 seperate flocks for a while.
The chicks could have, well, a hideout though if you want. At least that's what I call it. Others call it a panic room. In the coop, when I first introduce chicks, I have a box that contains ome food and water for the chicks. The entance is only big enough for them, not the adults. I locked them inside it for 12 hours, then let them out, so they know where it is. So whenever they are getting chased or picked on, they can run to their hideout, or panic room. And as the chickens get bigger and they all get used to each other, you will have no more need for the panic room. I take it out usually within 2 weeks. At least for me, it doesn't take that long to integrate new members to the flock. Yah, they will be lower on the toten pole for a bit, but as long as your older chickens aren't trying to kill them, there is no problem. And it will only get better as the chicks get older and become more a part of the flocks. For me personally, within 5-6 weeks of me putting the chicks with the rest of the group, they are all one big happy family!

I'm sorry if I'm making this sound complicated. This is actually just one way to do it. Quite frankly, there have been several times that I've just take a group of chicks, throw them into the coop and say good luck. And you know what? It works fine. Sure, they get picked on for a few days, but I have NEVER had a chick killed by an older member of my flock. Other people will say otherwise of course, but this is just my personal experience. So whatever you want to do with your chicks, I say do it! Either way, I have actually never found it that hard once I just commit and make a decision on what to do with that particular group of chicks.
Barred rocks really aren't that aggressive. I've had them before and they are very sweet birds! I don't think you will have any serious problems, mostly because there are just two of them!