Need help integrating a bird

[BecciD]

Thanks for all this information! We are raising our first flock and currently have 6 chicks. Some of these are looking like they might be cockerels, which we can't keep so I'd like to get some more hens (who doesn't need more chickens anyway?!) so this information is very helpful. Is there a best age to do this? (current chicks are approx. 4-6 weeks old) & by the sounds of it if we introduce the new ones at a similar time to taking out the cockerels that would help? Also their permanent home isn't quite finished yet they are still living in our shed with regular trips outside. So adding them to the new home all together as well might help too? Thanks!

 

[aart]

Thanks for all this information! We are raising our first flock and currently have 6 chicks. Some of these are looking like they might be cockerels, which we can't keep so I'd like to get some more hens (who doesn't need more chickens anyway?!) so this information is very helpful. Is there a best age to do this? (current chicks are approx. 4-6 weeks old) & by the sounds of it if we introduce the new ones at a similar time to taking out the cockerels that would help? Also their permanent home isn't quite finished yet they are still living in our shed with regular trips outside. So adding them to the new home all together as well might help too? Thanks!

This can sometimes help a great deal...BUT...not always.

Before you get more birds make darn sure you have enough space for all of them,
and be able to split that space in half for integration purposes.
4sqft(0.4sqm) per bird in coop and 10sqft(0.9sqm) per bird in run is a good minimum to start with.

You can start a new thread and post pics of your chicks in the 'what gender' forum,
to have folks help you figure out how many males you might have.

Oh, and Welcome to BYC!!

 

[Nineplus5]

Quote:


BecciD

Those girls have already dominated your mind Step away LOL

 

[BecciD]

Ok thanks! We won't be getting lots of chickens, realistically about 4 is probably a good number for the garden size we have. The staff in the local chicken feed/supplies shop have been very helpful too. They suggested leaving a cockerel in when we introduce new girls until they settle.