New baby chicks with loaner mom

[Niki6s10]

I was given 11 babies along with their mom
on a loan until babies are ready to be on their own. Being that the mom and babies were not originally from my flock, how will I introduce the new chicks to my flock? And when should this be done? I do not know their age but they are starting to get tail feather and feather on their upper back.

 

[Dragonisme]

I was given 11 babies along with their mom
on a loan until babies are ready to be on their own. Being that the mom and babies were not originally from my flock, how will I introduce the new chicks to my flock? And when should this be done? I do not know their age but they are starting to get tail feather and feather on their upper back.

I think that your birds can be easily introduced to your flock but if your flock seems to be louder or mean to the new chicken I think you should put her somewhere else. Don’t put the chicks in first. Put the mother in first see what happens then put the other in I hope this works!

 

[Niki6s10]

I think that your birds can be easily introduced to your flock but if your flock seems to be louder or mean to the new chicken I think you should put her somewhere else. Don’t put the chicks in first. Put the mother in first see what happens then put the other in I hope this works!

Thank you for the response but that’s the issue. The mom will be given back to the owner as she is a loaner so I didn’t have our chicks under a heat lamp or case stress from detaching them. These chicks will need to be introduced without the mom

 

[sylviethecochin]

Being that the mom and babies were not originally from my flock, how will I introduce the new chicks to my flock?

If the broody's a dominant sort, you might be able to just put her and the chicks in and observe fora few hours to make sure they're doing well. She'll defend her chicks,and by the time you remove her, they'll all be used to each other.

If not, the safest method is to pen the chicks beside the flock and let them get used to each other, before putting them together. Search see-don't-touch integration. When you do add them to the flock, provide more than one source of food and water, make sure there are hiding places, etc.

And when should this be done?

If you have to do see-don't touch, I'd put them in with the flock completely when the chicks are no less than half the size of the adult birds, probably at about twelve weeks.

I do not know their age but they are starting to get tail feather and feather on their upper back

Sounds like they're pretty young, (1-2 weeks) but pictures would help, in case I'm not getting your description right.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Put the mother in first see what happens then put the other in I hope this works!

I would not do this - the hen will likely get attacked.

Once the chicks are separated from their mom treat them as you would any other chick integration - have them separated but in line of sight of the hens. Once they seem mostly ok with each other through the fence, you can try giving them access to each other with supervision (way to best do this depends on your set up). Expect some chasing and harassing, it's normal and acceptable as long as they're not being injured or stopped from eating. Provide plenty of hiding spots for the chicks, as well as additional feeder(s) so hens can't guard food.

 

[Niki6s10]

If the broody's a dominant sort, you might be able to just put her and the chicks in and observe fora few hours to make sure they're doing well. She'll defend her chicks,and by the time you remove her, they'll all be used to each other.

If not, the safest method is to pen the chicks beside the flock and let them get used to each other, before putting them together. Search see-don't-touch integration. When you do add them to the flock, provide more than one source of food and water, make sure there are hiding places, etc.


If you have to do see-don't touch, I'd put them in with the flock completely when the chicks are no less than half the size of the adult birds, probably at about twelve weeks.


Sounds like they're pretty young, (1-2 weeks) but pictures would help, in case I'm not getting your description right.

I think they
Are 3-4 weeks weeks

 

[sylviethecochin]

I think they
Are 3-4 weeks weeks

Yeah, they look like they're about EDT: two weeks.

 

[Dragonisme]

I would not do this - the hen will likely get attacked.

Once the chicks are separated from their mom treat them as you would any other chick integration - have them separated but in line of sight of the hens. Once they seem mostly ok with each other through the fence, you can try giving them access to each other with supervision (way to best do this depends on your set up). Expect some chasing and harassing, it's normal and acceptable as long as they're not being injured or stopped from eating. Provide plenty of hiding spots for the chicks, as well as additional feeder(s) so hens can't guard food.

Thank you sorry my mistake