New chicks with older chicks...

[FloridaHen]

I plan on getting a few more chicks from Tractor Supply this weekend now that the older ones are outside in their new 10x10 playground. Since the chicks will be about 5-6 weeks apart in age, when could I possible add them in as an introduction ? I am planning on bantams, but got an unexpected rooster from my last batch of "all females" and 2 of them aren't even same breed as others. They are Rock Islands, the rooster is one of them, the other 3, I am not sure about yet. (I really didn't want a rooster at all, so now got to find a loving Home for him. )

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I plan on getting a few more chicks from Tractor Supply this weekend now that the older ones are outside in their new 10x10 playground. Since the chicks will be about 5-6 weeks apart in age, when could I possible add them in as an introduction ? I am planning on bantams, but got an unexpected rooster from my last batch of "all females" and 2 of them aren't even same breed as others. They are Rock Islands, the rooster is one of them, the other 3, I am not sure about yet. (I really didn't want a rooster at all, so now got to find a loving Home for him. )

Welcome to BYC!!!!

Are the chicks you have now large fowl or bantam? I ask because if the new chicks are to be bantam and the older chicks are large fowl there will be an even greater disparity than if they were all large fowl or all bantam - and this disparity would pose an even greater concern for the younger/smaller chicks leading to a longer period that would need to pass before you integrate the two groups.
If you post photos of the birds you have we can help you sort out the breed IDs - did you perhaps mean Rhode Island Reds for the one you are certain of?

 

[FloridaHen]

This is Boris and Big Bertha is same type .... the other 3 "angels" Lena, Lucia and Lita are all smaller versions of these 2... I suspect they are bantams, though wasn't told that...

UPDATE: The angels are leghorns, was sent a pm...lol

 

[aart]

Those almost look like meat chickens..... Cornish Cross.



Here's some notes I've taken on integration that I found to be very helpful.......
......take what applies or might help and ignore the rest.
See if any of them, or the links provided at the bottom, might offer some tips that will assist you in your situation:

Integration of new chickens into flock.

Consider medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
Poultry Biosecurity
BYC 'medical quarantine' search

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact. Integrating new birds of equal size works best.

For smaller chicks I used a large wire dog crate right in the coop for the smallers. I removed the crate door and put up a piece of wire fencing over the opening and bent up one corner just enough for the smallers to fit thru but the biggers could not. Feed and water inside the crate for the smallers. Make sure the smallers know how to get in and out of the crate opening before exposing them to the olders. this worked out great for me, by the time the crate was too small for the them to roost in there(about 3 weeks), they had pretty much integrated themselves to the olders.

If you have too many smallers to fit in a crate you can partition off part of the coop with a wire wall and make the same openings for smallers escape.


The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide out of line of sight and/or up and away from any bully birds.

Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[keesmom]

This is Boris and Big Bertha is same type .... the other 3 "angels" Lena, Lucia and Lita are all smaller versions of these 2... I suspect they are bantams, though wasn't told that...

UPDATE: The angels are leghorns, was sent a pm...lol

I agree with aart, this looks like a Cornish X. I am sure next to them the Leghorns do look like bantams. Cornish X usually come straight run which is why you got a cockerel.

 

[FloridaHen]

Thanks both of you... when I went back to TSC, they admitted a box of leghorns and Cornish rocks got mixed from a hole between the sections. so I do have 3 leghorns and 2 Cornish rocks now a GSL and 5 bantams.... I am too addicted!

 

[keesmom]

It seems to happen a lot at TSC. It's unfortunate. The people who want layers wind up with meat birds. Or the ones expecting a fast growing meat bird end up with a scrawny little Leghorn.

 

[FloridaHen]

I can't complain too much they gave me a $3 discount on my new chicks for their mistake. The new babies are more willing to be handled too , not sure if bantams have better manners or something but these ones come right up for attention.