Wow! I just spent about 45 minutes "introducing" 2 new younger chicks to my existing 14 wk olds (4 of them). The chicks are 6.5 weeks old, have been in a grow out pen within the run the others are in. Looks like this:
They have been side by side for 12 days. When free ranging, the chicks are in a dog pen, but out on the lawn with the others. Today, I used a portable fence to enclose a section right off the run door. With the older pullets out in that space, I released the 2 younger ones and stayed very close, leaving the run door open. Glad I did. I totally get now, why people say it is tough to watch! Initially, I had to untangle 4 on 1, but I can say, as time went on, it got somewhat bette. My BO, who is the lowest on the pecking order was the toughest on them. She almost had one pinned. Luckily, you all had me on high alert for that one, and I intervened quickly. The head hen was the least aggressive. Ok, I don't get it. That seems reversed to me. Anyway, I was trying to begin small limited exposures, as some have suggested, to get them even more used to each other. My question....do they all start from square one again next time I do this?? Should I even continue along this way, or wait until I intend to fully release them, at around 8 weeks?? They weren't injured, but boy, were they terrified! My daughter and I decided it looked like a hazing ritual! I could really use some input here....I don't want them hurt. I can't even imagine closing them up in the coop with the others at night! Yikes!
They have been side by side for 12 days. When free ranging, the chicks are in a dog pen, but out on the lawn with the others. Today, I used a portable fence to enclose a section right off the run door. With the older pullets out in that space, I released the 2 younger ones and stayed very close, leaving the run door open. Glad I did. I totally get now, why people say it is tough to watch! Initially, I had to untangle 4 on 1, but I can say, as time went on, it got somewhat bette. My BO, who is the lowest on the pecking order was the toughest on them. She almost had one pinned. Luckily, you all had me on high alert for that one, and I intervened quickly. The head hen was the least aggressive. Ok, I don't get it. That seems reversed to me. Anyway, I was trying to begin small limited exposures, as some have suggested, to get them even more used to each other. My question....do they all start from square one again next time I do this?? Should I even continue along this way, or wait until I intend to fully release them, at around 8 weeks?? They weren't injured, but boy, were they terrified! My daughter and I decided it looked like a hazing ritual! I could really use some input here....I don't want them hurt. I can't even imagine closing them up in the coop with the others at night! Yikes!