Introducing new birds to flock

[jp57]

I am almost to year one with chickens, and have lost two of them so far. One to a predator, and one that died of unknown at this time (she died last night) causes. I want to get two new ones to replace them. I was wondering if it would be better to raise them separately and the introduce them after the new ones are older. Or would it be better to introduce them while the new ones are chicks to strike up a maternal bond? The only issue I would see is them getting in and out of the coop due to the ramp.

 

[sourland]

Flock birds can be brutal to and even kill chicks. Have any of your flock gone broody ? If so you can foster chicks to them. I have had the best luck when hens have been setting a minimum of 2 weeks when doing this.

 

[jp57]

I had 2 of them go broody, but I put and end to that quickly.

 

[chickflick]

Best to wait until the chicks are older. When the chicks are fully feathered out and the weather warm enough, I put them out in the yard in the fencing they use to hold puppies in. Can get them at pet stores. Anyway, I put them out so the older birds can see them and check them out. After a couple of weeks, I let the chicks out to free range. Just be sure that the chicks have places to hide but not get trapped anywhere. You can also put a dog cage in the coop so the chicks can get use to the coop and learn where to go at night. Just tuck it away under the roost, with something covering the top ( like empty feed bags)

 

[jp57]

Sounds like a good way to get some garden beds ready this spring.

 

[Mrs. K]

if you had birds go broody, they will go broody again, add the chicks then. It truly is the easiest way to add chicks to a flock.

 

[aart]

I've found integrating chicks to be the easiest,
but my coop is good sized and well set up to do so.
Brood them in the coop from 1 week old, then start integration at 4 weeks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/