Introducing New Chicks

[ChickenGirl555]

I have been asking a lot about these two chicks I don't even have yet and how to introduce them to my flock of 6, two-month-old hens. I am going to make a section of the coop for the chicks so the two-month-olds can see but not touch. But my big question is what should I do as they get older? When should I let them interact with each other? The chicks are going to be an 8 or 9 days old when I get them, and like I said will live in half the coop with the adults. I really want to be as prepared as I possibly can before they arrive. We have the old brooder "bin" if I'm not ready in time that we used successfully for the 6 I already have. I just need some advice/ideas/opinions from some experts here!

 

[rjohns39]

I'm slow to introduce younger ones. I like to let them get to be about 8 weeks old and comparable in size. I know a lot of folks who do it sooner. Sorry, that wasn't much help was it?

 

[BYCforlife]

Hello! When you introduce your new birds, there's going to be a fight, almost no matter what. I would just move your old chickens out for a bit, put the new ones in, and then re-introduce the old hens one at a time.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I'm slow to introduce younger ones. I like to let them get to be about 8 weeks old and comparable in size. I know a lot of folks who do it sooner. Sorry, that wasn't much help was it?

It will be helpful when I get new polish chicks next spring that I will probably do this with

 

[Sarah B.]

I'm no expert on introductions but I'm a research freak! Anyway what I've heard keep them (the chicks) isolated for about two to three weeks and then maybe let the pullets and chicks meet, for a short time, in a bigger run or free range. Then isolate again. Then maybe the next day or after two or a week -this is up to you to see how they're interacting- then let them meet again, isolate, meet, isolate, etc. When you see them getting along well you can have them un-isolated but watch them carefully. I'd make them a bit hungry before meeting and give them food together, so to eat they'd be forced to interact and not attack each other -they'd lose food.

Just remember; pecking on the head is 'Hi' and peeping with beak closed is OK.

Peeping with beak open; panic, fear. Good Luck!

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Hello! When you introduce your new birds, there's going to be a fight, almost no matter what. I would just move your old chickens out for a bit, put the new ones in, and then re-introduce the old hens one at a time.

Ok, I will prepare for the fight, but I do not have another coop they can live in to grow in.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I'm no expert on introductions but I'm a research freak! Anyway what I've heard keep them (the chicks) isolated for about two to three weeks and then maybe let the pullets and chicks meet, for a short time, in a bigger run or free range. Then isolate again. Then maybe the next day or after two or a week -this is up to you to see how they're interacting- then let them meet again, isolate, meet, isolate, etc. When you see them getting along well you can have them un-isolated but watch them carefully. I'd make them a bit hungry before meeting and give them food together, so to eat they'd be forced to interact and not attack each other -they'd lose food.

Just remember; pecking on the head is 'Hi' and peeping with beak closed is OK.

Peeping with beak open; panic, fear. Good Luck!

Thanks telling me about the beak communications, but my problem is I only have one coop and a medium sized brooder box.

 

[Sarah B.]

Thanks telling me about the beak communications, but my problem is I only have one coop and a medium sized brooder box.

You could maybe get some chicken wire? You could maybe separate the chicks with some sort of wire, or maybe you could have the brooder inside the coop, just opening it up somehow.

 

[aart]

I am going to make a section of the coop for the chicks so the two-month-olds can see but not touch. But my big question is what should I do as they get older?

This is how I do it....lattice can also make good 'tiny doors'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/