Introducing new chicks to your flock

[TheStewarts]

I have no idea if we are doing it right or not but no one has been hurt or anything yet. We started off with 9 chicks (6 BO and 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes) They are now 11 weeks old and have been out in the coop/ free ranging for a few weeks. 2.5 weeks ago we got 11 red sex link (were supposed to be more BO) 4 more silver laced wyandottes and 3 americanas. The americanas were 4 weeks and the others were 2 weeks so they are now 6.5 weeks and 4.5 weeks. All 18 were inside in our brooder until this monday when we pu the 3 amigas (the americanas) in the outside brooder so the big girls could check them out without getting to them. Yesterday we put them out and put the other babies into the brooder out there. Establishing a new pecking order seems to be going ok. The 3 americanas can leave the coop if they want during the day but they haven't yet. I watched them for a while yesterday ad the older girls put them in their place when they tried to eat but they eventually let them eat. All the big girls go out the moment the door opens and they dont go back til sundown. It's interesting that the 3 americanas wont leave the coop yet even though they could if they wanted to. In a couple weeks we will let the rest of the babies out of the brooder and into the coop to see how things go.

Anyone have any better ways to introduce new chicks and help with re-establishing pecking order?

 

[Judy]

Bottom line: If it's working and no one has been hurt, you're doing it right! There are any number of ways, no single "right" way.

 

[aussimom]

I am a newbie to chickens , got our first 3 buff orp. On April 2nd. They are now thriving and I have enjoyed watching them grow and develop their personalities.we live in Setx and I am planning on putting the girls out in the coop next week. On the 16th of May we are getting 3 more chicks (Australorps). My question is how will I introduce the new chicks to the older ones when the time comes? I have so enjoyed all the threads onBYC.