Introducing new chickens

[Sabbo]

I have two new Silkies about 9 weeks old. I put them in with my other hens that are 3 years old. One of the older hens seems to be annoyed and pecking the new ones. Are they in too soon, or is this the establishing of a "pecking order"?

 

[chickenfever]

You should wait until they are close to the same size as the older chickens. There will be some pecking as the pecking order is established, but if the new ones are a lot smaller, they may actually get injured by the older birds.

 

[chickenfever]

By the way

 

[Mahonri]

I'd wait until they were at least 15-17 weeks old to introduce