Introducing chicks/pullets of the same age

[raynmom]

Hi y’all! I’m new here and kinda new to raising chickens. I grew up with them, but never was the main caretaker.
I currently have four 7 week old chicks and I am going to be getting two more that are the same age or around the same age from someone else.
I know normally you need to introduce chicks to the older flocks slowly, but since these chicks will be about the same age and they are still young, do I still need to introduce them slowly? Or can I just put them all together from the start?

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome to BYC.

You do not have chicks any longer. You have pullets and cockerels.
Yes, you need to introduce them slowly. Fence off an area for the newcomers so that everyone can see each other but not touch. Keep them this way for a week. Before you let them out, you need to make sure that the run has lots of things to do in it like have dry organic matter to scratch around in, things to jump up on and hang out like stump arrangements, branches secured to the run walls, old wood stools/chairs, a pallet leaned against the wall. Have multiple feed stations. Make sure you have 15 sq ft of space per bird in the run and will have 4 sq ft of space in the coop (not including nest boxes) in the coop.

After 7 days, release the new birds into the original birds space and let them explore for an hour or so. Then let the originals out. Stay to monitor. Only get involved if a true fight breaks out or if one bird is relentlessly going after another. Little pecks and chasing is not an issue. Even screaming and a little blood. As long as the dominant bird does not push the issue and lets the subordinate bird retreat.

 

[Mrs. K]

Another trick, instead of introducing 2 birds to 4 birds, you might add two of the original birds to the new birds. Expect a bit of bluster, but two against two should settle quickly, after that calms down, 2-3 days - then put them all together.

But I really would not expect a lot of trouble if you just put them all together at that age - IF you have a lot of space, a lot of clutter in the run, and multiple feed bowls.

Space and how that space is set up is really the most crucial part of introducing birds.

Mrs K

 

[raynmom]

Another trick, instead of introducing 2 birds to 4 birds, you might add two of the original birds to the new birds. Expect a bit of bluster, but two against two should settle quickly, after that calms down, 2-3 days - then put them all together.

But I really would not expect a lot of trouble if you just put them all together at that age - IF you have a lot of space, a lot of clutter in the run, and multiple feed bowls.

Space and how that space is set up is really the most crucial part of introducing birds.

Mrs K

That’s a great idea! I think I will try this so it’s not as long as a process.

 

[K0k0shka]

Do you know if you have any cockerels? If you do, they will likely fight. Yes, practice baby fight, but still fight and cause turmoil and stress for everybody. The pullets are more chill with other female peers at that age.