We got our first chickens 11 months ago and they are the sweetest girls. They are four honey-reds from Tractor Supply and made it through the winter without any difficulties, I did find out they don't like snow! About two weeks ago we got 4 more chicks - 2 Americaunas, 1 - Wyandotte and 1 - Jersey Giant. We need to expand our coop and I was wondering if we will have difficulty introducing to new chicks to the older hens, I would appreciate any tips. My husband and I are retired and live in Kent County, Delaware. We also have six dogs - 5 Beagles and a Bassett. The Bassett thinks he's a chicken.
Hi Glad you could join the flock! I would wait untill your chicks are fully grown before introducing them to your exsisting hens. Introducing new birds can become quite rough with pecking order scuffles and smaller chicks could so easily become injured. I like the look but don't touch method which has worked well for me. Have the birds next to each other for a few weeks but seperated by wire so they can become aquainted but not harm each other. After the few weeks you can introduce them but be there to supervise incase you have to jump in if things get too rough or bloody. Adding extra feed and water stations also helps so the established birds can't bully or starve the younger ones out of eating and drinking. Here is a lovely article on adding new birds https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock Wishing you the very best of luck and enjoy BYC
Hello, and welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined our community. Yorkshire Coop has given you some good advice! I hope the integration goes well. Good luck with your chicks.
I hope our greeter Sourland finds your post. He breeds, and hunts his Beagles. Welcome to the BYC flock
Hello there and welcome to BYC! Definitely check out the link that Yorkshire Coop has provided on integrating new birds into a flock. Take your time with mixing them in. The see but can't touch method from behind a cage or enclosure for 3 or so weeks has always worked best for me. Make sure to add more feeding and watering stations after mixing in new birds. The existing flock can starve out the new birds, standing guard of these areas. It can take months for new birds to completely mix into a flock. Good luck with your birds and welcome to our roost!
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided join to our flock. Be sure and keep a careful eye on the dogs as dogs and chickens typically don't mix well. We get lots of letters from new members who are shocked because their seemingly benign dog (even small ones like chihuahuas) suddenly and unexpectedly chased and killed their chickens. And once a dog has killed a chicken, it's next to impossible to break him from doing it again. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help. I agree with the advice already given. Best of luck!
Thanks for all the tips. We keep the beagles away from the hens and chicks. The Bassett thinks he's part of the flock. He's even great with the new chicks.
