Introducing new cgicks

[timtam0711]

Hi! My name is Tamara. I have 2 silkies that are 9 weeks old and 1 frizzle at 12 weeks old. I've just gotten 2 new frizzles and 1 new silkie all at 3 weeks old. I've just introduced the 2 groups and my 12wo frizzle is not keen about this idea and started pecking at them straight away. What can I do to help them get along?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

12 weeks old is a bit too old to put in with 3 week olds, I am afraid (unless of course they have a mama hen to defend them). You may want to put a divider in the coop to keep them apart until the youngest ones are older.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

12 weeks old is a bit too old to put in with 3 week olds, I am afraid (unless of course they have a mama hen to defend them). You may want to put a divider in the coop to keep them apart until the youngest ones are older.

x2

It is the rule of the pecking order...and the 12 week old views itself as the top dog and unfortunately recognizes the 3 week olds as small fry.

For that reason, it is generally best to keep them separated until the 3 week chicks are old enough to defend themselves better and/or are big enough to be taken seriously. Unless you have very laid back older birds, large age differences are generally not good in a flock as the little ones will always get picked on by the bigger ones.

When they get to be older, where they can be taken seriously, you can try integrating again.

If any bird is relentless in attacking others, especially to the point of harm, it is generally best to remove that bird and let it sit out for a week and then reintroduce it to see if it got knocked down a few pegs in the pecking order...if that doesn't work you'll have to cull or re-home the bird or keep it separate forever if you want flock harmony.

Lady of McCamley