Stupidly bought MORE chickens!!! Need advice :)

[AlicesSilkies]

OFFICIALLY CHICKEN OBSEESED!
So i bought 2 new chicks a silkie and a cuckoo maran bantam they are 4 weeks old, i bought them so they can go in with my 6 bantams that are 14 weeks.
What age should i introduce them to each other???
Thanks in advance byc gang!!

 

[happychick22]

Sounds like you are definately chicken obsessed

 

[AlicesSilkies]

Hahahaa yeahh well you would know!!

 

[happychick22]

Heehee yes, takes one to know one
I want to go pig shopping next !!!!

 

[AlicesSilkies]

Uh Oh...What are we like!! Definatley have to take a sane person with us next time to keep us in check

 

[anbhean]

OFFICIALLY CHICKEN OBSEESED!
So i bought 2 new chicks a silkie and a cuckoo maran bantam they are 4 weeks old, i bought them so they can go in with my 6 bantams that are 14 weeks.
What age should i introduce them to each other???
Thanks in advance byc gang!!

Ok so I'm going through this right now, so I am positive that there are going to be more folks out there with better info than I can offer. However, my understanding is you introduce them when they are all roughly the same size. That way you don't get the little ones beaten to a pulp while "pecking order" is being established. Of course this is hard to do if you have one breed that is smaller than the others... Right now my Australorp is 18 weeks, but smaller than her flockmate of the same age who is an Orp. Both of which are about 3/4 the size of my three year old Barred Rocks and Delaware that I'm currently introducing them too. But I think they are big enough to defend themselves. Also I hear the key is gradual, supervised introduction.

Hope that helps a little!

 

[jm22508]

Here's what I've done (once) with success...

I live in Texas, so moving chicks outside isn't much of an issue since it's so warm. After the first week, I moved my chicks out into the run, but kept them in a dog crate (wrapped in hardware cloth) so everyone could get used to each other. At about three weeks, I would let everyone out together, but only when I was able to supervise. There were a few minor scuffles, but nothing I ever had to break up. The "babies" are now seven weeks and everyone gets along just fine. For the most part, the original three and the new three have their own separate groups, but do just fine together and huddle together on the roost at night.

Good luck!

 

[dreamcatcherarabians]

When I buy new chickens I make sure the new outnumber the old. I had 3 hens that I've had for 3 years now, so I moved them into the garage while the new birds (50) got used to the coop and run. Then, after the new chicks had established themselves in the coop, I put a higher roost in for the older girls and added them in at night, right after all the new hens had gone in for the night. Next morning they all came out together and have been together ever since.

 

[AlicesSilkies]

When I buy new chickens I make sure the new outnumber the old. I had 3 hens that I've had for 3 years now, so I moved them into the garage while the new birds (50) got used to the coop and run. Then, after the new chicks had established themselves in the coop, I put a higher roost in for the older girls and added them in at night, right after all the new hens had gone in for the night. Next morning they all came out together and have been together ever since.

Hiya thanks for this, the thing is i only have 1 chick i need to introduce to my 6 bantams

Do you think it will still be ok??
Thanks for all the replies guys!!