Introducing new chicks to 5 week old chicks...do it now or wait?

[ChickieBonBon]

I have 6 chicks, all are about 5 weeks old. (1 mystery roo, 1 black star, 1 silkiexcochin, and 3 silkies) Now that I am fairly certain one of my two "excellent" egg layers is a roo, I am thinking about purchasing another chick or chicks (limiting myself to two more at the most...) that I can confirm is a hen. Would you add another chick now or wait until the current chicks are older? If you add a chick, would it be best to find one a similar age or doesn't it matter? I imagine I need to do a slow introduction, but not sure when I should attempt to add another hen to the flock.

Thanks!

 

[CMV]

The birds should all be of a similar size at introduction time. Avoid introducing just one hen and maybe try for 2 (or 3). If there are a few hens they can share in the abuse that the established flock is going to be dishing out. Strength in numbers...

Introductions are best attempted after a period of being able to see each other but not touch each other. After a week or two of just seeing a newbie around and getting used to the sight of them, allow a little free-range time for the whole group in a neutral area. Then put the newbies into the coop one night after dark. The chickens will wake up in the morning, see the newbies and say, "Oh...have you always been here?" And theoretically all will be well and you will have one integrated flock.

 

[ChickieBonBon]

That helps a great deal! Thank you!
Jennifer

 

[ChickieBonBon]

New thought. We move them to the new coop next week. (They live in a pen in the garage right now!) Would it be best to introduce the new hen before they are settled in the new coop? Does it matter?

 

[mamato3]

Ive got chicks ages 1 day up to 5 weeks together. I always tried to get 2 or more chicks so they have a friend and warm body to snuggle next to in case of fights. The older one acted like there was nothing going on every time i added a new batch. I noticed my big cochin has almost step on the babies at first know they know to move when she is coming lol

 

[ChickieBonBon]

That doesn't sound so difficult. My biggest fear is that they will eat/kill the chicks. There are a few chicks of the same age for sale in the area so maybe I will give it a shot. THANKS!