introducing new chickens

[bpd73]

can anyone tell me if i can introduce my younger chickens into the pin with the older chickens. i got the older ones and the chicks on easter at that time the older ones were pulets and the younger were just fuzzy chicks. the two coupes are only about 4 feet apart so they see each other all the time.

 

[2mnypets]

There are a couple things you can do. First you can add a wire cage that sits within the run of the older chickens so they can see each other without getting hurt. The second thing you can do is introduce them to the current older flock when you are giving treats or something that they love. You just need to use something that is a distraction so the new babies being introduced aren't the main show. You need a headliner. Mine love grass even more than the scratch so when I introduced mine yesterday, my hubby and I threw in a bunch of grass and stayed inside the enclosed run to keep the pecking to a minimum. There will still be the pecking order that has to be established, but un-necessary roughness is not needed. A few reminders from you the "alpha roo/hen" will remind them you rule that roost.

 

[ThunderStruck]

Hi And WELCOME!

Another thing you might try in to wait until the older ones are roosted at night , then take your younger ones and slip them in the coop or brooder along with the older girls. sometimes when chickens sleep they have a tendency to be in a kinda a trance (if thats the right word lol) like state. that way they will all wake up together. pecking order rules still will apply tho.

 

[bpd73]

thanks for the lnfo