Introducing New Chicks....

[crazyboutchickens]

Im somewhat new to having chickens. Have had 2 RIR for a year now. Great girls. In early April I purchased 10 more chicks, and was wondering how old they should be before putting them in with my 2 big girls? And if I don't have anyway to seperate them in the big coup, what should I do? Should I maybe just add 2 at a time? Suggestions please......

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Your chicks need to be at least as big as the hens you're putting them in with. It's best to sneak them in at night...although if you only have two hens, they're going to highly suspect something has gone awry when you introduce a penfull.

 

[countrybum]

I have to disagree with the statement saying the have to be as big as the hens.

I have nearly 100 chickens as of now and I have never had a problem. I introduce my new chicks when they are about 2 months of age. I feed in the morning and an hour after feeding is done, I load up the new chicks and take them to the coop. I then release them and open the gate for the older chickens to free range. I will sit out there for about 1/2 an hour just to make sure no one is getting picked on and do the same for 1/2 hour in the evening when everyone is coming in for the night.

 

[crazyboutchickens]

Thanks for the answers. So would it be safer to introduce about 2 at a time? Or should I do all 10 at the same time?

 

[Mahlzeit]

How old are these new chicks? Chicks should have different food than the adults to about 18 weeks of age or so. When putting them together I would do it all 10 at once. Hope this helps.

 

[crazyboutchickens]

The new chicks are about 8 wks old.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Wait until they are about the same size or the hens could really hurt or kill the chicks. I placed my chicks in a coop and run next to my hens for some months before I put them together.

 

[countrybum]

As I stated, I take how ever many are 2 months old and put them in the pen. I sit out there for awhile morning and evening to make sure all are getting along. Maybe I should post a picture for you, just to show mine are not all the same size.

 

[Chickenfeet]

I have had the same experience as Countrybum. I have many chickens at many different ages. No one is ever under 3 to 4 months. I have a small pen inside of the coup that I house them in for 2 to 3 weeks before releasing them. They can all see each other, put they can not touch. I am fortunate that I can check on them 4 to 5 times a day, just in case someone is feeling alittle feisty.

You will find that most everyone here has alittle different way of doing things. That is what makes this website so wonderful. You will find the right answer here!

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[jcamardo]

I have been introducing my two week old chicks to my 2month old chickens by allowing the little ones to come out during the day while it is warm. When it cools down I take them back in the house under their heat lamp. This is working out great.

The older two seem just fine with the chicks in the yard but I am wondering about putting them together confined in the coupe .... Is that where they are territorial?