How to introduce large chicks to bantam flock

[Kirstie1978]

Hi everyone
I need some advice please! I recently
Lost a bantam to old age and so my friends bought me some chicks (2) for my birthday to cheer me up! I have a polish bantam and a silkie bantam. The polish is fearless and goes for my husky/lab cross despite being the youngest! The two chicks they've given me are large breeds. Ones a warren and about 12 weeks old. The other is grey and black and at 8weeks old is larger than the warren. I have them inside at the moment as it's been horrific weather and I've not had a chance to set up the dog crate and hutch. But wanted some advice on the best age and so on to introduce them to the adult bantams. The chicks are a fraction smaller at the moment. I was thinking of the dog crate for a month and seeing from there but wanted some advice on the best way forward as last time I only had the silkie when I added the other bantams. Many thanks

 

[QueenMisha]

I actually use my bantam pen as a growing area for all of my chicks, bantam and standard alike. I usually send them out at 4-6 weeks, no introduction period... there is minimal picking or bullying of any kind. The 8 and 12 week old should be absolutely fine to place in the coop immediately... you should add them at night to reduce picking and stress.

 

[Kirstie1978]

Thank you. They're a fraction smaller and as my polish is a bit narky at times am apprehensive about adding them in... Unless it's better whilst they're still making chick noises or should I wait?

 

[azygous]

The Queen is right. Put them in the pen immediately so they all can begin getting acquainted. You don't can a thing by waiting. When you raise chicks adjacent to th adult flock they become part of the flock by proximity, making future integration much easier.

It's ideal to have two pens so everyone has plenty of space, but the dog crate will do for starters. After they have a period of getting to know one another, then merge them under supervision. As long as there's plenty of space for the youngsters to evade the adults if aggression occurs, they should be okay.

If you are restricted by space, try adding vertical escape such as chairs or even a chicken swing for the chicks to fly up to if they are harassed.

My chicks took full advantage of this swing and that chair when they were merging with the flock a few weeks ago.

 

[Kirstie1978]

They roam the backyard freely. Should I segregate them initially and if so for how long? Or put them all out free roaming together straight away? Last time I did segregation for a month (2coops etc) but they were all bantams. Whereas the chicks are large foul and so not sure how this will work! Sorry for all the questions!

 

[QueenMisha]

They roam the backyard freely. Should I segregate them initially and if so for how long? Or put them all out free roaming together straight away? Last time I did segregation for a month (2coops etc) but they were all bantams. Whereas the chicks are large foul and so not sure how this will work! Sorry for all the questions!

In most cases, I would say segregate. However, in this particular case I am going to say it will be fine to add them in immediately, just remember to do it at night. Whenever I add young birds to my bantam pen, I just drop 'em straight in there at night time. Because the bantams and the large fowl juveniles are usually about the same size, there's never an issue except a small amount of chasing when eating/drinking... which usually doesn't present a problem, the juveniles just drink/eat after the bantams are done.

 

[Kirstie1978]

They're still making chick noises at moment and a fair bit smaller than the silkie bantam. They're more seabright size at moment, so would it be best to put outside until a bit older and then introduce? Sorry just want to make sure this has the best possible chance of working.... I have seen both my females get narky with other birds (both with different ones and were fine with the opposites) so wanted to make sure as I don't want any issues if avoidable! I hate doing integration. Gives me a heart attack Everytime!

 

[QueenMisha]

They're still making chick noises at moment and a fair bit smaller than the silkie bantam. They're more seabright size at moment, so would it be best to put outside until a bit older and then introduce? Sorry just want to make sure this has the best possible chance of working.... I have seen both my females get narky with other birds (both with different ones and were fine with the opposites) so wanted to make sure as I don't want any issues if avoidable! I hate doing integration. Gives me a heart attack Everytime!

Are you sure they're really 8 and 12 weeks? If they are, I wouldn't worry about it, even if they are small for the age. But if they are in fact younger (any younger than 7 or 8 weeks especially) I would hold off until they are those ages at least.

 

[Kirstie1978]

I've put them outside today in the segregated run. The silkie was unhappy noise wise initially, but they've met through the wire without any incident of aggression. The adults are off doing their own thing and the chicks are chilled in the hutch/run area. I will leave them for another week or so and then let them out. Age wise I can only go by what I was told by my friend who gave me them which was what she was told by the farm. They are feathered (except the bottom area) I am not sure what breed the black one is, but the smaller but older is a warren. I'll try take pics

 

[Kirstie1978]

Any ideas on breed of the black one? That's the one that's the youngest by 4 weeks!