Introducing new chickens...

[blriehl]

This spring I purchased 8 chicks from TSC 5 Silkies, a Poreclain D'Uccle, a Polish, and an OEGB. I'm thinking of downsizing by selling my OEG and 3 of my "silkies" as I fear they're not "true" silkies.

I would, however, like to get more from McMurray Hatchery. I was thinking 5 Silkies, 1 Polish, and some Blue laced Red Wynadottes.

How would I get both flocks together? Is it possible for them to get along since they weren't raised together? I sucessfully introduced younger chicks to 2 week older chicks, but Im not sure how to get the flock to accept new birds.

 

[FarmerMama7]

We started with 4 as week old babies, then at 8 weeks we added in 5 seven week olds, then 2 weeks later we added 6 more of varying ages. Both additions were viewed as outsiders by the current flock and got picked on for a couple of days (nothing serious, just getting chased away when they got too close-we had multiple food and water containers so everyone could have some. Even now they stay in their own groups-they tolerate each other, they all sleep in a big heap together, but most of the time if you look in the yard, you'll see 3 separate groups of chickens. When I give them veggie scraps, I put them into 3 bowls and each group will automatically go to it's own separate bowl.

 

[blriehl]

Well I was considering, when I introduce them, to sell the 4 hens I wanted to get rid of and introduce the new chicks the day they leave... That way the other flock would need new dynamics and the new flock would just be establishing them. Plus the old flock would then be outnumbered. I guess Im wondering if its possible to do that successfully or am I never going to have them integrate fully?