introducing bantams

[Soleil_A]

hi! can someone please give me like a day-by- day schedule for introducing two new bantam chicks? my flock consists just of a ISA brown and a rhode island white. both hens. i’m hoping to be able to add my two new bantam chick, that are somewhere around 6-8 weeks. i don’t know their exact age because i rescued them. i have never integrated chickens into a new flock, but i heard it can be somewhat brutal.

 

[Shadrach]

I don't think they will integrate properly. You will probably find the bantams will stick together. You may be able to get them to live together without too much drama. I'll let someone else who believes they will integrate properly give you some tips on how to go about it.

 

[quackersandfern]

Although this infographic should give you a good outline of your options - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/caring-for-newly-adopted-chicken

I suggest spending the first week keeping them separate but so that they can still talk and see each other, but putting them in a large dog kennel inside the same run as your chickens. Week 2, start letting them out for daily 5 - 10 min (supervised) play sessions with the others. Week 3, if they look like they are getting along, leave them longer or if they arent, continue with the sessions until they are getting along.