Integrating 5 week old chicks

[Toosocs4]

I'm thinking about buying some 5 week old chicks off of craigslist. If I buy three chicks from two different sellers will I be able to easily integrate the six chicks together in my coop with no fighting, or should I get all the chicks from the same previous home? Will they be young enough at that point for no fighting to take place between the new groups meeting each other?

This is my first post, so thank you everyone!

 

[Cajunfarm]

Hi toosocs ! The fun begins ! We have some experience with integrating chickens. I am assuming yours are mature so I will go from there. You should expect the old ladies will not be welcoming and you will need to provide adequate hiding space for your new chickens ie large branches they can run under to escape the hazing! Or seperate them with a net so they can still socialize without the violence you can buy wildlife netting fairly cheap at lowes and just drape the net and have separate food and water this will be ideal. And prob the least amount of work and worrying! The first scenario you will be adding things you readily have to make for them ,only worry is sometimes you have a crafty momma who will chase them into these obstacles. If you have any broody chickens that have stopped laying and are pets these will be a big problem. If you have a rooster a net would be a better solution to let them integrate without hurting your group. We have had a succesfull integration in as little as 7 days with them having established the pecking order. You should expect the rank structure of you chickens to fluctuate so some aftershock confrontations will ensue especially without a rooster. I hope this helps! good luck!!

 

[Cajunfarm]

I apologize for my long winded response ! I just re read your post

if they are all 5 weeks you can keep them all together in the same area with minimal problems there will be a hierarchy being established. You should ideally buy them all from one place if possible if not they are young enough you will be just fine my apologies !!

 

[Toosocs4]

Thank you cajunfarm! I plan on re-homing my 2 old ladies (they've stopped laying) before getting new chicks so it will just be the youngsters. Thanks for all the info

 

[Cajunfarm]

No problem !