Introducing new chicks

[michiganlarry]

We have 14 chickens now that are 14 to 16 weeks old. Also we have 2 little guys that are now 2 weeks old. The chicks are in the basement in a brooder right now. When should we start introducing them to the older birds? I was thinking about putting them in a wire cage in the coop for a few days before letting them out with the others. Good plan?

 

[chicken ridl]

This will be very interesting to find out.
I tryed to combine some birds the other day.
They are about 5 to 6 weeks apart.
As soon as I put the younger birds down they were atacked. I don't think they even made 10 steps in the new coop.
I was amazed at how the other birds knew these birds were not part of there flock so quickly.
I took them back out ASAP.
I might try to put the older birds into the younger birds coop 1 at a time?

 

[michiganlarry]

Well we tried to put the chicks in with the rest of the birds last night and as soon as my wife put them on the ground the older hens tried to kill them. Back into the basement for a while I guess.

 

[rmelvin23]

hopefully someone has advice. Getting ready to get babies, don't want the ladies to be too mean.

 

[my1stchicks]

I kept mine seperated from the older ones by putting plastic fencing around a small area so they could see each other but not mingle. I left them like that for 3 weeks then opened a small section so the little ones could get out but could run back in if they needed to. They stayed like that for about a week then fence was taken down and all was well.

A couple of my bigger ones will still try and chase the little ones but really there have been no problems. Good luck with yours.