Introducing Baby Chicks Thread

[BarredCometLaced]

SO, I have taken on the challenge of introducing 3-3week old silver laced wyandotte chicks to my existing flock of 3-1year old chickens. There are several steps that i will be documenting to help people that are, in the future, going to be trying to introduce young chicks to an established flock.

STEP 1: Identify the Boss



STEP 2: Identify the followers






STEP 3: Identify the Newbies



STEP 4: Create a mini-coop in the existing chicken run so that the established flock can see, but not touch, the new chicks.



STEP 5: I haven't gotten their yet...

BUT, if you have had to introduce baby chicks to an older flock before and can help me, and others, out feel free to post your experiences and "DOs and DON'Ts"

THANKS,

Sacha Bays

 

[ericnash]

I think they are too young to be together. This is my personal belief. When I introduce young chickens to a flock I want them to be large enough to "hold their own" when the older chicks establish the pecking order. I think that if you introduce these chicks before then they will be killed. I also feel like they need different food. By keeping them separate until they are on the same food it will ensure that all the chickens are getting the nutrients needed.

 

[chicachic]

I agree that 3 week old chicks are too young. I always read that if chicks are still making "babY" noises that they should be kept seperated from older ones. If you can keep a watchful eye on them constantly it might work but I wouldnt try it. I have my 6 week old babies in their own pen. I will let them free range together when they are older but I will keep them seperate otherwise

 

[BarredCometLaced]

Oh, i know that they are too young; this is not an immediate transition, and i understand that they may be too young. I am not planning on putting them together for weeks. They will only be introduced when they can be on the same food or they are big enough to defend themselves. These chicks cost us a fortune in shipping, so we wouldn't want to risk their lives. Also, my reasoning for keeping them close together is that when it does come time to put them together, then they will have been used to being near each other anyways.

 

[Mrs. K]

Now, if you just had a broody hen, and can free range a bit, there is nothing to it!

My mama is currently with the flock, she set in one of the nesting boxes, and growled at everyone. The hens tiptoed around her to lay their daily egg. She hatched 2 and I gave her a dozen more day old chicks. I do get down, fairly quickly in the morning, and let the layers and roo out to free range, but they all stay together at night. And they gather in the late afternoon, the broody keeps between the flock and the chicks. The chicks learn quickly to stay close to mama, and there are no introduction problems.

I know it won't work for your set up, but it really is the easiest way.

MrsK