Introducing chicks to an existing flock....

[mightymike]

We've had great success (so far) with our 27 chickens that we have raised from day-old chicks. They have a large coop and a very large fenced-in yard to range in. 20 of the birds are roosters and will be processed in January or February. We are keeping 6 hens and 1 rooster to try and hatch some of our own eggs next spring. We have buff orpingtons, New Hampshire reds, silver-laced wyandottes, and barred rocks. We have really enjoyed having a mixed flock.

I'd like to get another mix of a dozen more day-old roosters in late/winter early spring so I can have another harvest of meat birds in the fall.

Once the chicks are ready to come out of the brooder, will there be a big problem integrating them into the existing flock? At that point the1 rooster and 6 hens we kept will be about 7-8 months old. They will all be buff orpintons.

There is plenty of room in the coop and the yard, so I hope that will help.

Any thoughts?

 

[Lotsapaints]

Little birds should have their own pen....and if you're feeding them for butcher they need different food too as the others will be eating layer. Make a grow out pen you'll need it and be ready to make more pens seems that's what I'm always doing making more pens.....