Tips on integrating single young chick in with pullets?

[Swinneg]

Hi all,
I recently had two give two surprise cockerels to my neighbor and he offered us one of his 3 week old chicks in return. We have 4 4-week old chicks and 1 6 week old one at home already and we thought she would be around the same size as our 4 week old ones so it wouldn't be an issue. Just got home and she is literally half the size of the smallest 4 week old chicks and they're half the size of the 6 week old chick! She's quarantined in a plastic tub for now but we were hoping to mix her in eventually. How in the world do I mix this tiny child in without her getting hurt???

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pen them next to each other so they can see each other through a fence. After a few days do supervised mingling. After a few days if they are getting along leave them together. If there's problems keep up the separation and supervised mingling until it works out. Eventually they should forget the new one doesn't belong.

 

[Danielpn]

Hi all,
I recently had two give two surprise cockerels to my neighbor and he offered us one of his 3 week old chicks in return. We have 4 4-week old chicks and 1 6 week old one at home already and we thought she would be around the same size as our 4 week old ones so it wouldn't be an issue. Just got home and she is literally half the size of the smallest 4 week old chicks and they're half the size of the 6 week old chick! She's quarantined in a plastic tub for now but we were hoping to mix her in eventually. How in the world do I mix this tiny child in without her getting hurt???View attachment 2714470

It sounds like you are prepared to do whatever is necessary to give your chicks a happy childhood. You probably are fussing over them like a mother hen. Just make sure there are feeding and drinking areas aplenty in their brooder, preferably at opposite ends, so that the littles can get away from the bullies and still have ample opportunity to eat and drink. In no time at they will establish the (temporary)pecking order and actually even start looking out for each other. Enjoy.