Introducing chicks

[tjaring]

hey all! I have 9 almost 8week old chicks. My friend is wanting to give a couple of their 8week old chicks to us. They are same age and basically the same size...is there anything special I need to do?
Thanks!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

First, make sure the chicks look healthy. No runny noses, ruffled feathers, messy bottoms.

Ideally, you should isolate any new flock member from your established flock for 2 to 4 weeks....out of sight, out of draft, no shared feeders or waterers.

However, not everyone does that (and some to great regret) as viral, bacterial, and parasite diseases can spread, such as coccidiosis and Marek's.

If possible health issues are not a concern to you, and it is less risk at this point than at say, 4 months of age, or older, then it is a matter of integration of the birds themselves.

At 9 weeks of age, your little flock has only just begun to establish a pecking order, thus it is not entirely settled yet. Chicks at this age level actually integrate pretty well when placed with chicks of similar ages.

Just watch for any bullying and make sure there are ample feeders and waterers.

The greatest concern is health safety.

LofMc

 

[tjaring]

First, make sure the chicks look healthy. No runny noses, ruffled feathers, messy bottoms.

Ideally, you should isolate any new flock member from your established flock for 2 to 4 weeks....out of sight, out of draft, no shared feeders or waterers.

However, not everyone does that (and some to great regret) as viral, bacterial, and parasite diseases can spread, such as coccidiosis and Marek's.

If possible health issues are not a concern to you, and it is less risk at this point than at say, 4 months of age, or older, then it is a matter of integration of the birds themselves.

At 9 weeks of age, your little flock has only just begun to establish a pecking order, thus it is not entirely settled yet. Chicks at this age level actually integrate pretty well when placed with chicks of similar ages.

Just watch for any bullying and make sure there are ample feeders and waterers.

The greatest concern is health safety.

LofMc

Thank you! The chicks in question look health except for some missing feathers where a resident guinea hem has pecked it.