New chickens help

[Sammyroseb2002]

i have had chickens for about 3 weeks now and they are full grown one just died but we just got three chicks. Is there a way that we can get the chicken to bond with the chicks.

 

[Mama Farley]

How old are the chicks?

 

[Sammyroseb2002]

they Are about a month

 

[Mama Farley]

You can read other threads here about introducing new chicks to a brood. I typically wait until chicks are about 4 months old since they eat different food (chick starter, grower) and they are so small. You could try putting them together and see what happens. I always watch closely for a few hours just to make sure everyone is friendly and intervene when necessary. Good luck!

 

[Peppercorngal]

If you are asking if a hen will accept the chicks and raise them as her own the simple answer is NO! Not unless she has been broody and is expecting to be a Mother hen. They can be put together however, without issues if you have ample space. I had week old chicks, month old chicks, 2 month old chicks and adult chickens all together without any problems at all. The enclosed run (where they are locked in to protect from nighttime predators) is very large with a coop with roosts inside for them. I have a free range area where they are turned loose every morning of about 1/2 football field. So, having all that space creates a friendly place. I've only seen chicks of the same age working out their pecking order with a little sparring, no fighting between the different ages at all. I believe firmly that lots of space is the key!

 

[ShannonR]

Welcome to BYC!! Integration of the adult chicken and the youngsters will depend a lot on the temperament of the adult hen. Wait, your adult chicken IS a hen, right? But if there's only one hen, your chances of everything going smoothly are much higher!! I would try it and see... can't hurt.

The adult chicken will not care for the babies, but she may decide to be a decent roommate.

 

[Chickassan]

She'll tolerate them but she won't see them as actual chickens worth hanging out with until they're laying eggs along side her.
Agree with @Peppercorngal if you have lots of space she'll do a much more graceful job of tolerating the kids.

 

[Henriettamom919]

She'll tolerate them but she won't see them as actual chickens worth hanging out with until they're laying eggs along side her.
Agree with @Peppercorngal if you have lots of space she'll do a much more graceful job of tolerating the kids.

I second and third this sentiment. What breed is your hen and how old is she?

 

[Sammyroseb2002]

I tried to put them together to see what happened and the older chicken was pecking at their heads. Should I be worried

 

[Peppercorngal]

I tried to put them together to see what happened and the older chicken was pecking at their heads. Should I be worried

Where are they all located? Is there room for the chicks to run away and hide? Or just run far enough for hen to leave them alone? If not, then you should be worried.