wanting to add another couple of chicks to the mix!

[amydzek]

will my chickens hurt new chicks if we get 2 more?? our girls are only about 5-6 months old and we love them so much we want to get 2 more but I am afraid too...

 

[chicknerd]

You need to integrate them gradually. After a few weeks apart from the older birds (so they do not transmit infection) I move the new chicks (who are at least 10 weeks old) to a mini coop that sits in the regular run. Everyone can see everyone else but the little ones are safe. After about 2-3 weeks of this I let the smaller ones out with supervision for about an hour. I make sure there is a place to 'hide' from the big girls. I do this until I see that everyone is fine for the entire time. I am also extending the time as the weeks progress.

It usually takes me about 4-6 weeks to get everyone integrated. So far no problems.