Introducing 7 week chicks to 13 week chicks

[mamahennorth]

Hi BYC

I have two 13 week chickens- a Silkie pullet and a Cuckoo Maran cockerel. I am picking up two more chicks to add to the crew. These are 7 week pekin bantam pullets.

How do I safely introduce them to my chicks.I can put a small closed off area in the run for them so that the older ones can see them and get used to them, but not touch them yet. How long do they need to stay in this until they can live altogether?

I would appreciate any advice on the beat way to do this so everyone is happy!

Thank you.

 

[chickenlittle21]

Pekin ducklings?

 

[mamahennorth]

No, pekin bantam chicks

 

[chickenlittle21]

No, pekin bantam chicks

Oh

 

[chickenlittle21]

No, pekin bantam chicks

try dividing the coop in half and slowly merge all of them together over 1 1/2 weeks to a month.

 

[aart]

How long do they need to stay in this until they can live altogether?

A couple weeks....best if they live there 24/7.

Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/