Outdoor time and getting to know the flock...

[AnaD]

I just wanted to share some pics of my three week old babies getting to know my somewhat older chickens. It is just a beautiful day here.
One of these days I was thinking of introducing my established bunch one at a time by letting one in the pen with me so I can see how they will react. Sounds ok to you who know? The little ones stick their heads though the pen and no pecking from the older ones on the outside seems like a good sign to me that the new ones will be welcomed.

 

[Blue_Myst]

They may be a little young for introducing to your older hens, but if you're there to supervise and can break up a squabble, you can give it a shot! Give them plenty of space to escape the older hen, and you'll soon be able to see if they can get the pecking order sorted out quickly.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

What are the ages of the older ones?

Here is a helpful BYC page:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

I don't add youngsters to fully grown hen flocks until 4 months of age. It is not so much the size of the youngsters...it is the fact that they won't stand up to the older ones - they hide their faces and put their little tushies in the air. The older ones go for blood.

I have had success with combining younger groups though.

 

[Pequena Bandada]

Too young, in my opinion. The reaction of the older chickens introduced one at a time when your babies are 3 weeks old won't tell you anything about how they'll react when the babies move in with them. And the littles are too young to challange the older ones and establish a pecking order, so there's no real reason to introduce them this early. So save a step and just merge the two groups closer to 3-4 months old.

 

[gritsar]

I spy a little rooster!

Oops, sorry I agree with ChickensAreSweet

But I do just love little roos.

 

[AnaD]

I agree that now is too young. They older ones are about 8 weeks or so. I am going to wait until the little ones are 8 weeks themselves. I just don't want the whole flock introduced at once.
Which litte one looks rooster, Gritsar?
Too bad a lil roo in my yard will get dead! We are not allowed roos in town and have no where to rehome it. Hence, DINNER.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Don't cook him yet! But in your second pic, the one on the right looks awful "roo-ish".

 

[AnaD]

Quote:
Don't cook him yet! But in your second pic, the one on the right looks awful "roo-ish".

but I'm so hungry!

I'll be sure to wait till they crow before I get out my carving knife.
The one on the right is supposedly a golden sex link.