Integrating new chicks

[AinaWGSD]

Look at all those chicks! How many? What is the grey one with the light grey head? I can't tell if I see muffs.

Um...a lot! There's 36 total out there at the moment and 7 more in my garage that will be moving out once we get the fence up and give those babies a  lot more space. We'll be culling cockerels in another month or two, aiming for maybe 20 birds after culling. That coop can't comfortably over winter more that 30 birds at the most, and even that would be tighter quarters than I'd prefer. As it is I feel bad that they're so crammed in there right now.

The majority of them are buckeyes, with 2 malines cockerels (the cuckoo ones) and 2 BYM easter eggers.

I think this is the grey one you were asking about.

 

[C Siena]

Um...a lot! There's 36 total out there at the moment and 7 more in my garage that will be moving out once we get the fence up and give those babies a  lot more space. We'll be culling cockerels in another month or two, aiming for maybe 20 birds after culling. That coop can't comfortably over winter more that 30 birds at the most, and even that would be tighter quarters than I'd prefer. As it is I feel bad that they're so crammed in there right now.

The majority of them are buckeyes, with 2 malines cockerels (the cuckoo ones) and 2 BYM easter eggers.View attachment 4164770I think this is the grey one you were asking about.

I could not see the rust/red on the breast of her/him, I like the look. The grey one in front, though I cannot see the head, looks like a Sapphire Gem type.

I understand overcrowding. We are getting rid of 3 cockerels tonight, either sold or dinner. I need room and it's time to make it.

Our senior roo is pure Buckeye and a gentleman. For a non biased opinion he is handsome. He is from our first hatch borrowing our neighbors broody bantam silkie and the neighbors eggs. We also have 2 B hens. I have better pics, but cannot find them right now and I need to go collect eggs and work in the garden.

 

[Christie25]

Just an update. I did add some fun things in the run such as logs and varing perches/hiding spots but ultimately we decided to add an open air run under tree coverage for them! Thank you for all the advice, you can see my three new chicks in the run area and my big girls haven't even bothered them now!

 

[jvan9202]

A run expansion is definitely in order. 12x12 is 144sq ft, which meets the generally acceptable minimum recommended space for 14 chickens. Once everyone is integrated that space would probably be ok, but it's a little tight for introducing new birds to the flock.

That said, I'm currently integrating chickens in a tight space myself. We're working on getting them more space, but the weather and work schedules are being less than cooperative here. The trick is definitely clutter, clutter, clutter. View attachment 4164653View attachment 4164654View attachment 4164657
It's not ideal, I'm definitely seeing feather picking in this flock, but the clutter helps curb the worst of it and gives the littlest chicks plenty of escape options.

The only thing I would change is the feed bowl on the bottom of the saw horse because the chicken will roost on the top and poop in the food.

I got some items from the Dollar Tree and put in my runs. Mine love the shiny cat toys that make crinkle noises, cat ball with the bells, mirrors, the little wind chimes, and some baby toys (set of keys) hanging down for them to peck at. Chickens seem to love mirrors and looking at themselves.