Introducing new chicks...it's not going too well.

[lttdoming]

I have 2 11-12 week old barred rocks and a Buff Orpington.(Pullets) They are living in the coop and doing well.

I recently acquired a Speckled Sussex and a Silkie. They are about 8 weeks old.

They lived in the house for a little while. About a week and a half ago I would put them in a dog crate next to the run so they could be close to the other birds. While I was with them I would let them spend some time free ranging and things went well. the two little ones stuck together and would run away from they others.

Last week I left the dog crate in the coop so they would spend real time with each other. as soon as I let them out there is some serious chasing some pecking.

My question is how much do I allow to go on? Do you think it will work itself out? When should I let them sleep in the coop and remove the dog crate?

It's funny the Silkie does get much grief it's the Speckled Sussex that does.

The bigger chickens go in quick with a peck, you hear a screech, and then they retreat. I have heard of bloody messes but that doesn't seem to be the case. The two smaller ones just hide out in the corner. When things calm down they will go off and eat.
Will they ever work it out?

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Some chickens our different but I have 3 2 month old chicks, I am not introducing them completely to the 4 month old 6 chickens. I just wouldn't take chances. The 3 are smaller, I am going to wait till they are bigger till they all share a run.

 

[eddiejrnkendall]

I got my BPR chicks (2 mo old) to agree with and live with my red sex links (17 weeks old), but I am not sure if it was because the BPR's were here first so the reds weren't so mean? They did chase and peck a little but by day 3, the BPR's were gladly going in the house with the bigger girls at night. Now I have 3 EE's that are 5 weeks old, who knows how I will get them ALL to live together! I guess patience and lots of treats. Good luck!!

 

[azygous]

There is a way to minimize the grief. It's called a panic room. You erect a temporary small enclosure in a corner of the pen with small pop holes in it so the bigger chickens can't get in, but the small ones can scoot in for safety.

Place food and water in there for them. By the time they grow too large to fit through the pop holes, they'll be dealing more effectively with the pecking order.

 

[nova022]

I call my chickens the mean girls. They do not like new additions and it shows. Once they get used to each other they are fine, but I never introduce them until they are same size because they are going to fight and everyone deserves a fair chance.