Is it really okay to add young birds (not Babies) to a flock???

[Big Red's Mom]

I have 16 hens and 1 roo. I wanted to add some new birds in the spring. I am getting chicks. I will not put them together until they are
7 to 8 weeks old. My Uncle says I have to get rid of the old chickens to add the new ones. I want to keep all of my girls and boy. What do ya'll think.

 

[Katy]

You don't have to get rid of the birds you already have, but it's best to let the younger bunch get to about the same size as the adult birds before you put them together.

 

[ranchhand]

Agreed, and be prepared to see some ugly behavior as they restablish the pecking order!

 

[dangerouschicken]

I have put 8 week olds in with the older chickens without issue. Even the rooster was like, "oh okay."

 

[Teach97]

agreed...as lond as there is room...don't worry about it! Close confines can lead to some fights but they work through it usually...in my experience as long as the RIR roos leave the little black OEGB alone things are fine...mess with him and the fight is on!

 

[Big Red's Mom]

What age would be best to add them together. My older chickens are Late March Hatch. So these chicks will be about the same time so a good year age difference.

What is the square footage per bird for Standard size?
4 to 5 feet?