Intro of young chicks to older

[julia tayloe]

• julia tayloe
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• Joined: 5/2016
• Posts: 4
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My subject is also introducing new chicks,I have 7 chicks in a netted area in the dining room that are 2 months old. They go in a outdoor pen every day around the older chickens. The adults can see but no touch, In a couple of weeks we want to have them move in to the coop. Should we slip them in at night for the first intro or what is the best way? let me know Julia

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Please don't slip them in at night, that might go bad. I start my integration by putting together a separation pen and penning the chicks where they can be seen for about a week, than I start letting the chicks mingle with the adults, when things get rough I return the chicks to their pen and try again the next day. The first few times can last minutes. Eventually everyone leaves the chicks alone mostly, except for an occasional peck. Hopefully you have plenty of room and have places the chicks can hide and get away from the adults. I lock my chicks up at night separately for a month or so until I feel comfortable leaving them full time with the adults.

 

[julia tayloe]

Hello, If I release them in the older pen for a few minutes how am I going to round them all in to separate them? what about if I bring the dog crate in their adult pen and hopefully they would go back in? What do you think? Julia

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A pen or crate in a corner can help with rounding up, as well as an extra piece of fencing to funnel them in.