Integrating new chicks

[RaeElizabeth]

I will have 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 week old chicks that have been together for a week on Saturday. I want to add more chicks that are also 1 1/2 weeks to them this weekend.

The original batch is 2 each of 3 breeds (Sussex, black Diamond and starlight) and 1 older large Brahma chick they all treat like momma. I only want one each of 3 breeds (lavender Orpington, legbar and welsummer) but should I get two each and just part with the extras later at risk of 3 new chicks to 7 that are used to one another already being a bad intro ratio. Would adding 6 be better for everyone? Am I making sense? Thanks!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

It only makes sense to you which is the definition of chicken math. Adding equal numbers isn't really going to mitigate the age difference and potential for issues. How are the OG's doing with age difference? Are they getting along? If it were me I'd toss the 3 newbies in but supervise closely and separate if to much bullying happens. The LO and Legbar will be very mellow but Welsummer could be a badass. You just don't know until you try them together. That's kinda why I do alot of planning and get them all at the same time, same age because I know me, I'll do what you're doing if I don't feel like I get enough of the breeds I want. Good Luck!!

 

[Yardmom]

Chicks sometimes mix no problem, but other times they attack each other. I would say give it a try, but be prepared to separate. Ideally separate with see no touch.

 

[RaeElizabeth]

It only makes sense to you which is the definition of chicken math. Adding equal numbers isn't really going to mitigate the age difference and potential for issues. How are the OG's doing with age difference? Are they getting along? If it were me I'd toss the 3 newbies in but supervise closely and separate if to much bullying happens. The LO and Legbar will be very mellow but Welsummer could be a badass. You just don't know until you try them together. That's kinda why I do alot of planning and get them all at the same time, same age because I know me, I'll do what you're doing if I don't feel like I get enough of the breeds I want. Good Luck!!

I’ve integrated chicks in the past and I feel like trying to keep the numbers even or the colors/breeds even does have an impact on how they all behave. They are getting along fine now and these new chicks will be the same age as the youngest 4. I just worry that only adding 3 new ones will cause the original 7 to hang up on them since they’re all kind of bonded at this point. But 6 would make the two groups even and I think bullying would be much less likely. Maybe it just me justifying chicken math lol but in reality I only plan to keep one of each breed. We have a limit here I am residential zoning and I have 26 hatching on April 4th in my own incubators

 

[rosemarythyme]

Young chicks are generally accepting of newcomers so most likely you can put them straight in without issue. Would be best to keep an eye on things for the first few hours, in case they do need to be separated for some reason.

 

[RaeElizabeth]

Young chicks are generally accepting of newcomers so most likely you can put them straight in without issue. Would be best to keep an eye on things for the first few hours, in case they do need to be separated for some reason.

So you think adding the 3 to the 7 already bonded would be fine? No need to double the numbers lol. I swear I’m not trying to get away with 6 more chickens, I’m just willing to start there and part with them later if it’s a better bet.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yeah it should be fine. None of them are newborns and the chicks are still very young. I've tossed 6-7 week olds together without introduction and have had no issue.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I only plan to keep one of each breed. We have a limit here I am residential zoning and I have 26 hatching on April 4th in my own incubators

So you're keeping 6 out of over 30 ?? What do you do with the rest? Just curious, I don't know what area you're in....

 

[RaeElizabeth]

So you're keeping 6 out of over 30 ?? What do you do with the rest? Just curious, I don't know what area you're in....

No that’s not what I said. I am keeping 4 of the 7 I have now, I’m not positive we got all females from this breeder who was attempting to wing sex so I got extras. I will just get the 3 of these after all since people seem to think that’s fine and they are guaranteed female and vent sexed. Of the ones we hatch I will keep nearly all the females. Others will be offered up on our local chicken swap pages. Males sometimes become new resident roosters in their own flock. Other times they get eaten. I don’t judge people who are using animals for meat. And there is never a problem trying to sell/rehome pullets that will lay eggs for another flock. We have a thriving local chicken community.

 

[RaeElizabeth]

So you're keeping 6 out of over 30 ?? What do you do with the rest? Just curious, I don't know what area you're in....

We have a limit here, but I don’t necessarily follow rules and no one can see my chicken yard anyway they wouldn’t know the difference between 12 chickens or 15 or 20. We are in a rural county and I share eggs to keep the neighbors happy.