New chickens

[Chickenvader]

New mom here! I ordered my chicks about a month apart on accident. Today I picked up my 2 news ones (cuckoo marans). They're about a week younger than my other 4 ( 1speckeled Sussex, 3 true blue). I've got them separated. Just wondering what to look for as far as acceptance from the initial flock? I've read here anywhere from 1wk-1month for easing into flocks but since they're closer in age, if less than say a month would be good.

 

[Bantams182]

I'm not an expert but I think it's trial and error, some are more excepting than others, my experience you will know pretty quickly, the head pecking and trying to move them out of their space.

 

[Mrs. K]

How big is your coop and run? Space has a huge impact on chickens getting along.

While I am sure that I am only seeing part of the run, do you see how every chicken can see every other chicken 100% of the time? Adding some clutter, places where a bird can get out of sight can really help. Just a chair, or a large piece of cardboard to create a mini wall. Set another feed bowl behind it to let birds eat out of sight of other birds.

Adding clutter will also change up the place, and kind discombobulate everyone, not just the new birds, then I would just mix them together, keeping an eye on how it goes.

Mrs K

 

[Chickenvader]

How big is your coop and run? Space has a huge impact on chickens getting along.

While I am sure that I am only seeing part of the run, do you see how every chicken can see every other chicken 100% of the time? Adding some clutter, places where a bird can get out of sight can really help. Just a chair, or a large piece of cardboard to create a mini wall. Set another feed bowl behind it to let birds eat out of sight of other birds.

Adding clutter will also change up the place, and kind discombobulate everyone, not just the new birds, then I would just mix them together, keeping an eye on how it goes.

Mrs

How big is your coop and run? Space has a huge impact on chickens getting along.

While I am sure that I am only seeing part of the run, do you see how every chicken can see every other chicken 100% of the time? Adding some clutter, places where a bird can get out of sight can really help. Just a chair, or a large piece of cardboard to create a mini wall. Set another feed bowl behind it to let birds eat out of sight of other birds.

Adding clutter will also change up the place, and kind discombobulate everyone, not just the new birds, then I would just mix them together, keeping an eye on how it goes.

Mrs K

COOP (103.5"L x 56"W x 72")
RUN (8'L x 42"W x 5'H)
We're in process of finishing a bigger one. I'll add some clutter today. Ty for that idea.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How old are the older ones and how old are the younger? Chicks can often be tossed together without an integration period, but success rate decreases the older they get.

 

[Chickenvader]

The older ones are 7 weeks & younger ones about 5 weeks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The older ones are 7 weeks & younger ones about 5 weeks.

I'd try them together with supervision. 7 weeks should still be young enough that they may accept newcomers as-is. If it doesn't go well, then it's likely due to the fact that you don't have much space (your run is barely big enough for 3 adults, and your actual coop I'm guessing is likely much smaller than what you quoted since the measurements are all in inches). You mentioned working on a bigger set up, what's the ETA on it?

 

[Chickenvader]

I'd try them together with supervision. 7 weeks should still be young enough that they may accept newcomers as-is. If it doesn't go well, then it's likely due to the fact that you don't have much space (your run is barely big enough for 3 adults, and your actual coop I'm guessing is likely much smaller than what you quoted since the measurements are all in inches). You mentioned working on a bigger set up, what's the ETA on it?

Gotcha. It should be done this week.