Introducing new chicks

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

Hi there! I’m a newbie to having chickens, I currently have 6 that are just over 5 weeks old (with the exception of one, who is a week older). I am confident that one, likely two, are roosters and so I am going to be introducing two new pullets to make up for it. I still have mine in the brooder inside, and the two I am adding are coming from a nearby backyard flock and are a couple of weeks older than my existing chicks. How should I go about this? Will it be okay to introduce them while they are still inside the brooder or do I need to keep them separate and then put them all outside into the coop at the same time? Do I need to quarantine them first, and if so, for how long? How do I ensure that they integrate smoothly without creating violence in my currently very friendly flock? So many questions! As much info as possible please! Thank you!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Quarantine: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nderestimated-part-of-raising-chickens.67097/

Realistically most people don't have space to properly quarantine. In all cases, but especially if you're skipping quarantine, do NOT take the new birds if they appear to be in poor health or if they were kept in poor facilities - that's just asking for trouble.

If you're willing to take the risk, I'd personally would skip quarantine in favor of a faster integration due to the age of the birds. While they are still young they're more accepting of newcomers, and quite possibly you could throw the new ones in with your current birds, ideally with some supervision initially to ensure there's no obvious issues. I'd time it for when they move out into the coop and run, so the distraction of a new setting shakes up any pecking order they may already have. And unless it's ridiculously cold where you're at, your birds are old enough to be moved outside at any time, as long as you wean them off heat first and maybe expose them to temperatures closer to your current outdoor temps.

 

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

Quarantine: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nderestimated-part-of-raising-chickens.67097/

Realistically most people don't have space to properly quarantine. In all cases, but especially if you're skipping quarantine, do NOT take the new birds if they appear to be in poor health or if they were kept in poor facilities - that's just asking for trouble.

If you're willing to take the risk, I'd personally would skip quarantine in favor of a faster integration due to the age of the birds. While they are still young they're more accepting of newcomers, and quite possibly you could throw the new ones in with your current birds, ideally with some supervision initially to ensure there's no obvious issues. I'd time it for when they move out into the coop and run, so the distraction of a new setting shakes up any pecking order they may already have. And unless it's ridiculously cold where you're at, your birds are old enough to be moved outside at any time, as long as you wean them off heat first and maybe expose them to temperatures closer to your current outdoor temps.

Thanks! To wean them off heat, does that just mean I should turn off their heat lamp while they’re still inside or should I turn it on and off in increments?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks! To wean them off heat, does that just mean I should turn off their heat lamp while they’re still inside or should I turn it on and off in increments?

You can use a dimmer, or reduce bulb wattage (pet stores sell lower watt bulbs) and/or raise/move the heat lamp further away to reduce the heat they're receiving. Depending on location you can open a window to let in some air to drop the temperature of the room they're in as well.

Normally I would suggest reducing heat gradually (like adjusting every 5 days or so) but due to their age they can handle a lot more aggressive reduction in heat, so you can get them off heat in the next week or so, assuming you have normal temperature ranges. What are your outside temps, highs and lows?

 

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

You can use a dimmer, or reduce bulb wattage (pet stores sell lower watt bulbs) and/or raise/move the heat lamp further away to reduce the heat they're receiving. Depending on location you can open a window to let in some air to drop the temperature of the room they're in as well.

Normally I would suggest reducing heat gradually (like adjusting every 5 days or so) but due to their age they can handle a lot more aggressive reduction in heat, so you can get them off heat in the next week or so, assuming you have normal temperature ranges. What are your outside temps, highs and lows?

I’m in Philadelphia, which has been having crazy heat waves. A few days ago it was 97 but it’s predicted to reach 57 at night this week

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’m in Philadelphia, which has been having crazy heat waves. A few days ago it was 97 but it’s predicted to reach 57 at night this week

Low of 57 is still very good for moving chicks out. Assuming the chicks were brooded inside the house? If so I'd just turn off the heat lamp, give them a few days to adjust to life without the lamp, and you should be able to move them out after that.

If your plan is to get the new chicks in the coming week let's say, I'd move yours out on the same day the new ones arrive.

 

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

Low of 57 is still very good for moving chicks out. Assuming the chicks were brooded inside the house? If so I'd just turn off the heat lamp, give them a few days to adjust to life without the lamp, and you should be able to move them out after that.

If your plan is to get the new chicks in the coming week let's say, I'd move yours out on the same day the new ones arrive.

Awesome, thank you so much!!! This was all really helpful