Hi all! I'm new to BYC and to chickens in general. We adopted 7 batam silkies from a friend who no longer could keep them. The silkies are all adults and fun chickens. I just hatched​ 20 chicks (not silkies) that are still brooding. The silkies free range and go back in the coop at sunset. My question is will the chicks follow the silkies when I take them outside or do I need to lock them in the coop until they know that it is their new home?
and congratulations on your first hatch! Silkies are great, you will love them. When it comes time to put your chicks outside, I would recommend a slow introduction to avoid squabbles. Some probably put them out there and let them figure it out, but I like to go slow. The young ones will have to establish themselves within the flock, but they will be low in the pecking order at first. I generally let a broody raise my chicks, makes it so much easier and they are already a "part of the flock". Once in awhile, I don't have a broody to give them to. In that instance, I fence off part of the coop to give to the babies to go into at night and also have a baby pen outside for them. It keeps everyone safe and gives my adults a chance to get used to the newcomers. When I notice that the adults are ignoring the newbies, I let the babies out and stand by to see how things go and make adjustments. Your chicks will form their own flock for a good while and then they will eventually all merge.
