New to chicks

[Nugget]

Hi, I just joined this site today. I got some inspiration for our coop here back in the spring. It's a great resource! Nice to have a forum

We spent the summer building the coop and about 4 weeks ago, just as it was finished, we found a little bantam loose in the city street. Couldn't find an owner so we kept her (probably not the best decision, but it felt right at the time). We had an order placed for some chicks and we'll be picking them up very soon. I'm a little worried about disease, exposing new chicks to this adult (occasional sneeze, otherwise seems healthy). We're thinking we might expose one chick to the adult, and if all goes well then I suppose we can mix the bunch together. Has anyone been in this situation before? Any words of wisdom?

Although the coop is done, the run is not. We're going to get some mesh for it and I thought I'd post here to see if there are any suggestions on cost-effective ways to get some decent predator-proof wire!

We're getting some orpingtons, gold and silver laced wyandottes and I think we have a little game hen? She's in the profile pic if anyone has any other ideas

I'll post some pictures when the babies get here. Can't wait

 

[peepkeeper]

Congrats on the chickens! I wouldn't mix the chicks with the one you already have yet. Along with health issues, the little ones might get picked on severely. I would keep them apart until the little ones have their feathers, then let everyone hang out together through a wire divider so that they can get used to each other without anyone getting hurt. The bantam is alone, so once the little guys are a little bigger she'll probably be anxious to join a flock and they should get along fine.

 

[peeps7]

I agree with peepkeeper, you should separate them until the babies are about 1-2 months old or maybe even 3 months, depending on the chick.

 

[cheepchicks]

Hello and welcome !

 

[Nugget]

thank you for your advice, it is nice to see so many chicken enthusiasts!

 

[Bandobrown]

good advice. I have a group of 6 chickens and a group of 4 that are different ages and that's what I did. The funny thing is they still hang out in their clicks--don't mix much. Three turned into Roos (bummer).