What is the Best Way to Bring NEW Birds into an Established Flock?

[TheBantyCoop]

Hi all,
I am asking about this for a friend. She has 2 chickens right now and three 6 week old chicks, and she would like to introduce them to each other ASAP. She has been putting the chicks next to/in the run of the other birds, with the protection of a locked dog crate, for a couple of weeks now. She thought that they might be ready to be with each other, but soon after releasing them she discovered that one of the chicks was hurt very badly by one of the older girls. The wounded chick was hiding in the corner, and now that she has had medical help she has a pair of staples in her back. Poor thing.

My questions are:

How old should the chicks be before they are put in the run without a barrier with the older girls?

and

Is there anything I can do to make the introduction easier on the established flock and the chicks?

Thanks,
El

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. New chickens need to be fairly close in size to the chickens in the existing flock before they are brought into the existing flock, and then it must be done very slow and carefully using the "look but don't touch" method. There is a good article at https://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/introducing-new-chickens/ explaining how to introduce new chickens to an existing flock. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in introducing your new birds to the flock.

 

[TheBantyCoop]

Ok Thanks!

 

[Michael OShay]

Ok Thanks!

You're welcome.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens, glad you joined the flock. Chickens can be quite savage. Some say they came down from dinosaurs - I believe it.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[TheBantyCoop]

Thanks all and wish my friend luck!