Introduction of new members

[chick raiser]

I am thinking to add 10 new members (chickens only) on my flock. They will be around 1-2 months old. My current flock has an age of 7-9 months. Do you think that this will be a problem?

Thanks a lot for your info in advance.

 

[sumi]

It would be easier to introduce the newbies when they are more or less the same size as the rest of your flock. If possible, keep them near your chickens, so they can see each other and get used to each other, without being able to physically get to each other. Then when they are around 4 months old put them all together. There will probably be some pecking and bullying as they reestablish the pecking order, but by that time they won't be "strangers" anymore so the integration should go fairly smooth.

 

[nova022]

I am thinking to add 10 new members (chickens only) on my flock. They will be around 1-2 months old. My current flock has an age of 7-9 months. Do you think that this will be a problem?

Thanks a lot for your info in advance.

I agree with sumi and would wait until the new ones are closer in size to the older ones. I have had a very hard time mixing my two flocks, (6 months and 3 months). The older ones were very mean to the younger ones when I first tried to combine them, so I have them living side by side in seperate runs and put their feed dishes across from each other (but in their own runs) so it seems like they are eating together. They pay less attention to each other now. I will try putting them together again when the youngest are four months and see how it goes.

 

[sourland]

Good advice from Sumi. Understand that whatever the size, there will be some pecking and fighting upon introduction. This is normal and to be expected. Chicken society/the pecking order is frequently not kind.

 

[chick raiser]

Thanks a lot for your time. This forum is something more than useful.