Introducing chicks

[wwelbourn]

I live in Roatan Honduras.

I got my first 16 chicks June 2nd 2020. I was told they were 2 weeks old at the time I got them. Last week a dog into the yard and killed all but 2 of them. I am gutted they were doing so well and looking so healthy! So I have one male and one female left. They are now 4 months old.

I have improved security and I am confident no more dogs will get near them.

I have a 1/16 acre fenced in area for them to roam in during the day and within that 3 coops. The old one my first chicks grew up in, and a new, bigger improved one for the new arrivals.

In the third, there are five quails.

I have 25 new chicks arriving tomorrow. How long should I keep them separate from the remaining 2 4-month-olds that survived?

The new chicks are coming from the same supplier my original sixteen came from 3 months ago.

Does anyone know what breed they may be? Photo attached.

 

[chickenlittle21]

Until they are similar in size

 

[igorsMistress]

Are these shipped chicks or from a local farm or breeder? If shipped they can go outside right away but keep a see through barrier between them until about 4 weeks, then let them start to mingle. If from a local farm or breeder and they've been with the parent flock quarantine in another area for 30 days, then introduce as above.

 

[aart]

I like to integrate early:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/