Introducing new members to the exsisting flock

[MeganBack]

I have recently got 3 olive Eggers, 2 hens and 1 rooster. I have been keeping them in a dog kennel inside of the chicken coop. The only breed I have is silkies and they’re about 6 months old so they’re getting pretty big. I was just wondering how I should introduce them? I don’t want the olive Eggers to kill the silkies since they’re so much bigger.

 

[Splinter022]

My advice to you is to put the chickens you are trying to introduce in some sort of enclosed fenced area so they can get used to the other chickens in the flock. Keep them in this for the whole time - make sure they have everything they need, (Food, water, shelter, some space to roam around, etc.). After a little bit, whenever your ready, and you think the chickens are getting along on different sides of the fence, try letting the chickens you are trying to introduce with the rest of the flock, and sit there and watch to make sure nothing goes wrong. Give it some time, and whenever you think they're ready, and make sure they aren't getting picked on or anything, you can try putting them together for long/longer periods of time. I would, if I were you, keep them separate during feeding, and at night and all. This is personally what I would do, (and did with my flock when introducing.) Hope al works out!

 

[MeganBack]

Thank you!! I will definitely be doing this!

 

[Splinter022]

Thank you!! I will definitely be doing this!

No problem! Hopefully this works for you!