introducing chicks to established flock

[JayDe]

Quote:
My rooster got beat up a fair amount,(and chased A LOT) but no blood. I too was worried about him (and the others), but another BYC member told me the hens were teaching him humility and eventually he will take over. It's been 2 weeks and I was so pleased to see them all outside enjoying the sunshine yesterday together while I cleaned the coop. My rooster is now 16 weeks old, and although I have not seen him doing anything, I am getting fertile eggs, so the ladies are starting to accept him.

So, do you think I should just put them in with the ladies? My rooster has been mounting my silkies (two of them..one of which we thought was a boy..but now the youngest who we hear crow is larger than the partridge, so Dudley might be female)..so I know he's hit "puberty"..

One EE has laid two eggs this week, and two of them are squatting when I go to pick them up or pet them...maybe they'll accept him more now that they are laying? I think I'll have my dh make another nest box (there's only one right now) and another roost and then put them in again to try..

 

[Happy Chooks]

This is my first experience integrating. I just wanted to share that it's crazy for the first couple weeks, then for mine at least, it's settling down.

Are you putting him in alone or with others? I had 5 babies that I put in all at once. So the abuse was more spread out, rather than all of them picking on just 1 chicken. I did have to take my handicapped roo out as he could not get away. He was too slow and he cannot roost. He got pecked really bad by my hens and since he was bleeding, I removed him.

 

[JayDe]

Quote:
My husband is concerned with the logistics of putting the silkies out with the others (we free range the EEs and leave the coop open so they can escape in there if need be)..so only the two Orpingtons need to be integrated for now. My roo just runs like a maniac when they get near him..I'm more afraid of him hurting himself than them hurting him.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Yesterday, I put 5 new chickens in the main coop. First I let all the chickens outside and then I shut the door so they couldn't come in. Then I put the 5 chickens in there and let them get used to being in there. Then I would let a few chickens in at a time. Then let all 86 of them in there! lol They were all fine this morning! You might wonna make sure they get food/water, though. I fed mine by them selves, so I could make SURE they got food/water!

Good luck with yours!