New to raising chickens and have questions

[dolihen1]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I currently have 5 Buff Orpingtons, and 1 Australorp that are 11 days old, and I have ordered 15 Polish chickens which should be here in 2 days. I will keep the new chicks in a separate brooder, but my question is, will they get along in a joint pen when they can be moved outside, and when should they be moved outside?

This was taken 7 days ago. They are growing so fast!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, dolihen1, and

! Pleased you joined our community! Those are some fine breeds. You ask some good questions - many of which can be sourced in the many articles of the Learning Center here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
More specifically, you can learn about introducing new chicks to established birds in this article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method
Polish, perhaps due to their small body size and the "blinders" they wear are often near the bottom of the pecking order. But if introduced properly you should have no problems.
About when to move them outside - a lot has to do with the climate where you are. Generally speaking most chickens can be outside in the coop without heat when they are fully feathered - 4-6 weeks.
Not sure where you are located but if you are in the U.S. you can chat with some poultry folks in your neck of the woods by accessing your state thread in this link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread
Best wishes to you and your flock and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[dolihen1]

Thank you, I will check the sites you have offered. We had chickens when I was a little girl, but remember nothing but gathering eggs and running away from the rooster, LOL

 

[N F C]

Keep an eye on your Polish when it comes time to mix them in with the others...those top knots seem to be a pecking magnet.

Best of luck to you!

 

[drumstick diva]

With so many Polish chicks, maybe they won't be picked on. They will probably stay in a group, and in numbers, there is generally safety. Where as putting one or two Polish in with a big group they would draw attention immediately.

 

[dolihen1]

Thanks, I will watch for that. I can keep them in a separate coop, but we hope to combine the 2 coops and make a larger run for them all.

 

[dolihen1]

I had originally planned to get just 2 or 3 Silkies, but settled on the Polish, Then when I filled out the order for 3 Polish, I found that I would pay about $20 more than if I got the 15. So I may have some Polish hens to give away, or sell if grown.
Thanks

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under dolihen1

Welcome!

As you have already received some links to great starting points, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share more pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out