New to site

[Jilldz]

I am new to this site but have had chickens for about 4 years. We absolutely LOVE our girls. We have an established flock of 9 and have 8 chicks waiting to get big enough to be introduced. The chicks are about 3 weeks old and we are waiting a few more weeks until it is warm enough and they are bigger to introduce them to the other girls. We also need to expand our coop to make more room for the new babies.

Anyone have suggestions on how to introduce the new babies? I read it works to put them in the coop on the roost at night!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Jilldz, and

! Great to have you in our community! When introducing chicks to established birds make sure the young ones are fully feathered. Yes, putting them into the coop at dark is a good idea. But first the birds should get to know each other but not actually have physical contact. If they can "meet" through a fence this is ideal. After about 3 or 4 days of this put them into the coop at dark. At first light in the a.m. open the coop so the new aren't trapped. Then just monitor. There will be some pecking order adjustments but it should all work out. Best of luck to you!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Jilldz]

Thank you. We will definitely wait several more weeks before putting them outside. It is still pretty cold here, especially at night. I can let the older girls out of the coop to free range and put the babies in for the introduction period. They will be separated by the fence but still be able to see one another.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

It often works best to wait until the birds are close in size to each other before integrating them.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!