Tips for introducing 1 day old to 1 week old flock

[SurferchickinSB]

I have 8 mixed flock chicks that are 1 week old today. My neighbor ordered 5 new chicks after a disastrous order last week and they will be arriving tomorrow. If all of them come alive, she will be giving 1 to me as she only wants 4. I am happy to take it but I do not have a separate area for this chick and will have to integrate it right into my current flock. Any tips? Is this a disaster waiting to happen or am I being overly concerned?

I had a similar situation when I got my chicks. My first batch had a lot of fatalities and the company sent me new ones the following week. I just cut a piece of hardware cloth and taped it up and left them separated like that for a few days. That way they could see each other and it was fine after that. Otherwise it would have been disastrous! When I was putting them on the other side the other bigger chicks were jumping all excitedly and I just know they would’ve attacked them. One week makes a lot of difference in a baby chick size wise.I can’t remember exactly but I think I just left the wire up in the brooder for maybe three days.

 

[Rlmp817]

That sounds encouraging! Is there anything I can try if there are problems or do I just remove her and rehome?[/QUOTE

Provide cover for the little one like you would with integrating for an adult flock & make sure you have a good food/water supply. Maybe put in a few new toys to distract. Other then that they are pretty easy going at 1 week. I think you will have success!

 

[Rlmp817]

As long as it's not too aggressive leave them. They will most likely adjust. I have been putting different age chicks together and haven't had any problems. Usually the younger smaller chicks are trying to get under the larger chicks like they would their mother hen.

My 4 day Olds do this with the 2 week Olds, it is so cute. And the 2 week Olds totally snuggle up with them, it is adorable.

 

[HCBeck]

@Rlmp817 That's a great idea, maybe a sturdy fabric strip hanging from the ceiling of the brooder and a small mirror as distractions?

 

[Rlmp817]

Yes, I think they would like the mirror! My buffs always like to check put my sunglasses

 

[springvalley123]

I second the advice to keep the single chick with the rest of its hatch-shipment-mates for a day or so, until it recovers from the shipment. It'll need to sleep for quite a time. But then, day 2-3 it should be just fine to integrate, assuming it's not a bantam mixing in with cornish X's or something. Here's to hoping all arrive alive so you get your bird!

 

[ZoomuKeeper]

They are still babies it should be fine.