Introducing new chickens to the flock

[Chicken momma 467]

Hello all! I currently have 11 chickens. Seven are about 18 months old (Australorp, Easter Eggers, Leghorn and Brown Sussex) I also have four 6-week-old Silkies. I have had them in the same coop/run for about two weeks now, but they are separated. (I am in Arizona and weather is warm enough for the silkies to be out there). They can see each other and "talk" to each other. What I would like to know, is when is the best time to take the separator down and let them integrate and how is the best way to do this? Thanks all!!

 

[OLDRanch]

I am in Arizona too. I have only had chickens for a year, so I haven't had to integrate new birds yet, (though I may be getting more chickens soon) The best way I have heard is when they are used to seeing each other like how you have it, is to distract the old flock with treats if you use treats and let the new birds in and then watch them like a hawk for a while. If you feel better, you can separate them again for bedtime and then let them out again the next day. It really just depends on the nature of your flock if they are more chill and laid back or if they are very dominant, on how long it takes to integrate new birds. Go with your instincts on when to let them out. Like I said I haven't done this before, but I hope this helps. Also, there is this lady on YouTube who has some really awesome videos on how to integrate new chickens. It is Welcome to Chickenlandia.

 

[OLDRanch]

Hello all! I currently have 11 chickens. Seven are about 18 months old (Australorp, Easter Eggers, Leghorn and Brown Sussex) I also have four 6-week-old Silkies. I have had them in the same coop/run for about two weeks now, but they are separated. (I am in Arizona and weather is warm enough for the silkies to be out there). They can see each other and "talk" to each other. What I would like to know, is when is the best time to take the separator down and let them integrate and how is the best way to do this? Thanks all!!

Sorry this goes with the message above.

 

[Chicken momma 467]

I am in Arizona too. I have only had chickens for a year, so I haven't had to integrate new birds yet, (though I may be getting more chickens soon) The best way I have heard is when they are used to seeing each other like how you have it, is to distract the old flock with treats if you use treats and let the new birds in and then watch them like a hawk for a while. If you feel better, you can separate them again for bedtime and then let them out again the next day. It really just depends on the nature of your flock if they are more chill and laid back or if they are very dominant, on how long it takes to integrate new birds. Go with your instincts on when to let them out. Like I said I haven't done this before, but I hope this helps. Also, there is this lady on YouTube who has some really awesome videos on how to integrate new chickens. It is Welcome to Chickenlandia.

Thank you!! My son and I are thinking about letting them free range under supervision tonight when he gets home from work and see how that goes. I know silkies are much smaller than other hens and I worry about them. We tried to put them under a broody hen when we got them and that didn't go well, so we hand raised them. The silkies seem interested in the other hens, but they don't seem interested. So it may be ok. I just worry should (and I use that word loosely) should we get a monsoon, I want the silkies to have a space to go away from the rain. The last one flooded my coop and had they have been in there it would have been a mess LOL.

Thanks for the info.

 

[OLDRanch]

Thank you!! My son and I are thinking about letting them free range under supervision tonight when he gets home from work and see how that goes. I know silkies are much smaller than other hens and I worry about them. We tried to put them under a broody hen when we got them and that didn't go well, so we hand raised them. The silkies seem interested in the other hens, but they don't seem interested. So it may be ok. I just worry should (and I use that word loosely) should we get a monsoon, I want the silkies to have a space to go away from the rain. The last one flooded my coop and had they have been in there it would have been a mess LOL.

Thanks for the info.

You are very welcome