Surprising integration!

[Truecelt]

3 1/2 weeks ago we got 7 easter egger chicks, and 8 silkie chicks to add to our little flock. Yesterday we got 9 more silkies from a hatchery. I was expecting problems integrating the wee ones with the older ones. (Last year, the older chicks started carrying the little ones around by the toes until I separated the for a bit.) I now typically use an upside down laundry basket with the bottom cut out so that they can be in the brooder and warm, but safe.

Well, this morning I went into the brooder to check on everyone and my basket silkie head count was off by two! I was looking and looking and couldn't find them. A few minutes later, I realized it was because they were sleeping under the older chicks, nice and cozy. I lifted the basket to let the rest run about, and much to my surprise no one seemed to care. The little ones started eating and drinking right next to the rest, and no pecking or chasing happened at all! Sooo, pleased right now.

If only introducing them to the 7 hens outside could go so smoothly!

 

[Judy]

I've read a number of times that they can be safely mixed if they are all under a month old. Good to know it actually worked this way for someone.

 

[rapunzel162]

I had over 200 chickens once. ALL slept in the same house, and all were free range, and they were ALL sizes. A lot of hens, tried to steal babies , But NONE hurt them, And I had many different breeds. The biggest to the smallest.

 

[Truecelt]

The size difference is crazy! My 3.5 week olds are mostly feathered out and tall, and the new kids are only 5 days old and are barely as tall as the older ones legs! After last year I was beyond nervous getting two "rounds" of chicks, but I'm really heartened now.

Also, I'm alread pushing it with my 30 chickens......I couldn't imagine 200. (I don't think I could come up with that many names!) Oh, and my husband would probably leave me.

 

[hereorthere]

I've read a number of times that they can be safely mixed if they are all under a month old. Good to know it actually worked this way for someone.

Yes, here's another story. my 3.5wk Welsummer were pretty mild when intro with 6 just-hatched BCM and 2 EEs. I did have hubby build a screen (another fabulous idea from another poster on these forums) to separate the brooder so they all could see and hear each other but not tease and peck. After two wks, I took off the screen and found all the babies BCMs & EEs sleeping under the wings of the Welsummers (2 pullets & 3 roos). So yes, that did go very smoothly.

But then out to the existing 1yo flock of Welsummers had some bumps along the way. I made sure to throw lots of scratch whenever the babies came out to "play" with the big mamas..... trying to associate good with good. The pecking issues wasn't so bad. So far, no blood or dead baby chicks, some pretty good mean pecks but the babies all know to watch their backs, and they have a secure area to run into to hide and get their food.