Integrating new chicks to a flock of 2 hens - Need Advice!

[PDXchickenmom]

Hello fellow chicken owners! I've posted one other thread on here with very helpful feedback.

I am a new(ish) chicken owner and looking for some advice. I have two 2-year-old EEs. My third chicken sadly passed away earlier this summer, so I purchased 2 new EE chicks from a local farm store. They're 4.5 weeks old.

If I go very slow with the introductions (see but can't touch), how early can I start integrating them? The babies are rapidly outgrowing their current pen, as chicks tend to do. I've read conflicting recommendations, so I'm wondering what other folks have done. I also feel like it's a little different because I only have 2 adult hens. Any advice is appreciated!

Also, do you think this is a pullet or roo? I'm so worried she's a rooster! I know it's too early to say for sure. Just wanted to know what others think.

Thank you!!

 

[Deenok]

Sounds silly but post a great pick of her tail if the feathers are really round and perfect she’s a pullet if they are more arrow shaped at the end and rugged then you have a roo. Also, you only need to let them around each other for a week do a supervised unfiltered introduction for About 20 min. Then let them see each other only again and then put them in together permantly they will work it out shortly bc you have a small flock so not much confusion as to where the young ones belong on pecking order

 

[Deenok]

Pretty bird

 

[PDXchickenmom]

Sounds silly but post a great pick of her tail if the feathers are really round and perfect she’s a pullet if they are more arrow shaped at the end and rugged then you have a roo. Also, you only need to let them around each other for a week do a supervised unfiltered introduction for About 20 min. Then let them see each other only again and then put them in together permantly they will work it out shortly bc you have a small flock so not much confusion as to where the young ones belong on pecking order

Thank you for the advice! I was thinking it would be a pretty smooth introduction since I only have 2 hens.

Here are two pictures of her tail. Hope that's what you meant!

 

[Vickischics]

Yes, and please post pictures of their backs. Looking straight down on them. We need to see the feathering on their backs.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Pointed male feathering doesn't start showing up until 10 weeks or so, so extra photos won't help. At this point it looks female.

My article on early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ - key for adding chicks early is ample space and clutter to provide safe hiding spots, "panic openings" being a plus as well as they create a completely safe chick only zone.

 

[Deenok]

Thank you for the advice! I was thinking it would be a pretty smooth introduction since I only have 2 hens.

Here are two pictures of her tail. Hope that's what you meant!

Yes yes she a pretty pullet for sure pic one was perfect they are round, smooth and perfect.