Question about integrating 2 sets of chickens...

[susanah]

We have 3 bantams that are almost 6 weeks old. We think at least 1, possibly 2 are roosters.

Thinking about getting 2 to 3 more, in case we can't keep the roos. But they will be about 6 weeks apart.

Will I have to wait til they are full grown to put together? Or if I put a cage with the young ones in the run with

the older ones for a while do you think I can put them together after a couple weeks even with that kind of

age difference. The older bantams are 1 cochin and we think 2 OEG's. I don't have anywhere to house

extra chickens long term if we can't get them together early on.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Want Less]

I have a friend who has had success in keeping chicks together that are several weeks apart in age, but I've also read lots of horror stories as well...

If it were me, I'd try to wait until they were similar in size before putting them together.

 

[darin367]

i throw em all together at any age/size...... i just make sure the littler ones have a place only they can get to..... i placed a board in front of my coop just high enough that the little guys can get under there away from the bigger ones..... works great.....

 

[fresheggsdaily]

Here's a great discussion thread. There's also a video on this page under the Albums tab...

http://www.facebook.com/FreshEggsDaily#!/topic.php?uid=173382679370316&topic=287

 

[KKatknap]

Quote:
I agree...sure it can work, but I figure the consequences if it doesn't are great enough that I always wait til the yougest are at least 8 wks old to put them together.
And the cage inside the coop is a very good way to do it when you are ready.

 

[melschicks]

I have the same question....
So, once the timing is right, are there tricks besides having a safe spot for the small ones?

I've heard that you sneak the new ones into the coop at night? Anyone have luck with that one?

Or let them first meet while out free in the yard?? Anything else???


My chick order got split (the faverolles didn't hatch), so I'll have 5 that are 3 weeks older than the 4 faverolles.

I figure I'll rig up a smaller brooder for the new chicks for the first week or two, get the older ones out of the brooder into the coop around 5 weeks and put the young ones into the full size brooder, let them get to about 6 or 7 weeks in the brooder (maybe, if I can wait that long (it's 2x4'... will be holding 4 chicks), then integrate the two flocks. Sound like a good plan??? this is my first batch of chicks ever. I'm sort of miffed that they split the order.. wasn't planning on dealing with integration already!!

Or is three weeks apart close enough that they can go together right away, with the safe spot for the babies?

thanks!!!

ps- do I need to first quarantine the new 4 faverolles if they are chicks from the same hatchery as the original 5???

 

[MareeZoCool]

Quote:

THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCELLENT IDEA!

 

[ADozenGirlz]

You won't have to wait until they are older to join the two groups. In fact, the younger chickens are, the more adaptable they are to new flock members. The method you're describing is exactly how I integrate new chickens regardless of their age. I call it the 'playpen method' because it's a safe way to introduce the groups to each other, they can see and hear each other and become familiary with each other before allowed to make physical contact. Six weeks isn't as big an age difference as you may think. If you're interested in seeing my blog post about the playpen method, it can be found here:

http://eggcartonlabels.blogspot.com/2011/06/integrating-new-flock-members-playpen.html

We have 3 bantams that are almost 6 weeks old. We think at least 1, possibly 2 are roosters.

Thinking about getting 2 to 3 more, in case we can't keep the roos. But they will be about 6 weeks apart.

Will I have to wait til they are full grown to put together? Or if I put a cage with the young ones in the run with

the older ones for a while do you think I can put them together after a couple weeks even with that kind of

age difference. The older bantams are 1 cochin and we think 2 OEG's. I don't have anywhere to house

extra chickens long term if we can't get them together early on.

Thanks for any advice!