introducing younger birds to flock

[greeneyesmomma]

How old do new chickens need to be before introducing them to the existing flock? I have 13 hens about 4 months old, various breeds, slikies, barred rock and 8 are definitely bantams, I just bought 6 RIR's they are 4 weeks old right now. Help!

 

[markb816]

bump***
good question, I am thinking about adding some pullets (not baby chicks but older) to my hens, and would like to know as well.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

I would wait till they were closer to the size of your others or at the very least wait till they are 8 weeks old this way they stand a chance to survive against the pecking order but you will need to keep an eye on them so that if it get to bad you can break them up also I would provide a safe place for the younger ones to get away from the older ones but the older ones will have to do the pecking order so be prepared it is not pretty by any means but does need to be done.

Good luck

 

[ChooksChick]

I just wrote a column on this! http://www.examiner.com/x-9873-Kansas-City-Urban-Chickens-Examiner~y2010m5d8-Urban-Chickens-101-Introducing-new-birds-to-the-flock

I'm happy to help more if I can.