OMG, chicken math has started already!!!! And a question...

[RedKell]

My first 2 girls are not even in their coop yet, and already the chicken maths is starting!!! I am picking up a 2 week old chick this arvo (only 1, I swear...maybe

)

The coop and run for the girls should be finished today, so I will be putting the older 2 in it straight away (they are 1 1/2 months).
How long do I need to wait before I can put the new chicks in with them? I would like to put them together as soon as possible. The weather here is good, 15 minimum at night, 27 max in the day. (59-80)
The lady I am getting them from (a bussiness, with lots of chooks) said they will be alright straight away, any thoughts on it?
Thanks everyone

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

It is ALWAYS a good idea to quarantine new birds for at least a month before introducing them to existing flock. This gives any illness a chance to surface before it is introduced to the whole. You can read up on horror stories of people who have skipped the quarantine period. Not trying to scare you or any new owners but it is best to err with caution, even through a familiar reputable breeder. Good luck on your new additions, and yes chicken math runs rappent quickly LOL. I started with "10" which turned to 22 before we even placed the first order, and now has exploded to 32 with new babies in the brooder LOL.

 

[Mrs. K]

Get more than one chick, a single bird, is the worst integration problem, unless it is a full grown rooster.

SIZE is the major issue here, and the older birds could very well kill the chick. They need to be close to the same size. Chickens are not nice to strangers, to anything smaller than themselves, or to anything invading their home territory. The difference in size will be quite a bit.

Generally speaking, a new chick will be sick and dead in a matter of days, not weeks, but it not the disease possibilities that bother me, it is the size difference that will cause real problems. I am thinking that you may need to keep them separate for about 12 weeks. That would put the new chick at 3 months, and older ones at a little more than 4 months...... that would be pretty good. Another reason for getting more than one chick, a long time for a bird to be alone

Mrs K

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Thanks Mrs. K, I can't believe I missed that the chick was two weeks, and you are very right that one chick is never a good idea. Chickens need companionship! Spot on!