Introducing new chickens

[Marisa14]

I love your umbrellas! cute idea!

Haha! Thanks. It was to help with shade for them... they like it when it rains too

 

[twendt]

Wish my hubby was as supportive... he likes the eggs though. My daughter , Gretchen, and I would sleep with a chicken if given the chance! LOL

 

[twendt]

I've been talking about you at work, to my technicians, I want to save and visit you in New Zealand . If you'd have me. I'd like to bring Gretchen ( my daughter) if That's OK with with you ( she's 13 yrs old) . I'm taking her her to Disney World Florida in April, so this year, I'm tapped out. I really want to have an excuse to go to New Zealand!! Hope you don't think I'm too forward. IN 2020 that would be an EPIC adventure!! I would even help milk cows, I'm not afraid of hard work. Tammy

 

[Marisa14]

Wish my hubby was as supportive... he likes the eggs though. My daughter , Gretchen, and I would sleep with a chicken if given the chance! LOL

Me too!

 

[Marisa14]

I've been talking about you at work, to my technicians, I want to save and visit you in New Zealand . If you'd have me. I'd like to bring Gretchen ( my daughter) if That's OK with with you ( she's 13 yrs old) . I'm taking her her to Disney World Florida in April, so this year, I'm tapped out. I really want to have an excuse to go to New Zealand!! Hope you don't think I'm too forward. IN 2020 that would be an EPIC adventure!! I would even help milk cows, I'm not afraid of hard work. Tammy

OMG! That would be so amazing!! I was wondering what your name was! That would be awesome to meet you and your daughter as well! You wouldn’t have to milk the cows, but if you were keen we’d definitely take you to see what we do... ooh, I’m so excited!!

 

[Marisa14]

OMG! That would be so amazing!! I was wondering what your name was! That would be awesome to meet you and your daughter as well! You wouldn’t have to milk the cows, but if you were keen we’d definitely take you to see what we do... ooh, I’m so excited!!

PS... we are most likely coming to New York for my birthday (end of March) next year... maybe we could come and see your part of the world while we are there???

 

[Debby R]

How do u introduce chicks that r like six weeks old ... or do u have to wait till they r older?

You need to wait until they're older. Six weeks is too small to defend themselves as there will be squabbling. I am in the final stages of introducing 4 month olds to my hens. Using the look don't touch method but now the dog crate is in the pen with the door wide open. The pullets just need a safe place to run/hide right now. They will have to establish a new pecking order when they are together. Six weeks is way too young.

 

[Mrs. K]

At Debby R, I have had very good luck introducing them much younger than 6 weeks, what I did was set up a safe zone, a place where the little chicks could get to that was beyond the reach of the big chickens. Their food and water was in the safe zone.

I used lattice panels but I have also seen, where one just put up fencing, but left it a couple of inches off the ground. The entrance to the safe zone needs to be wide and numerous, and not able to be blocked off.

The first 3 days they stayed inside the zone. Day 3-4 they started venturing out, but not far. They are quick, and when a hen got too close, they would dart back. This really acts like a broody hen, they can explore and retreat on their terms, not my terms.

In a week, they were eating at the big girls dish, and only an occasional mind your manners peck.

Many ways to do things, some depend on your set up.

Mrs K

 

[pinkladyjo]

I lost my beloved Goldie (gold laced Wyandotte) the other day and now all I’m left with is daisy, my black Orpington and Lexie, my white Orpington. A friend of mine has a blue and a lavender orpington she said I could have... I’m a bit worried about how they will go with my other 2??

How do u introduce chicks that r like six weeks old ... or do u have to wait till they r older?