What to do?

[COWBOY21]

I currently have 5 -1 week old chicks, I was offered 2- 4 month old hens RIR/EE. I was wondering if I should take this offer or past? I just didn't want to endanger the baby chicks. They are in a brooder and I planned on keeping them in there until at least 5 weeks old. If I do get the 4 month olds when should/how do I intergate them to the baby chicks? Your opinion or thoughts on this would help allot. Thanks.

 

[RHewitt]

Keep them seperate until the chicks are 2 to 3 months old so they have time to build up tolerance to disease. Don't handle the chicks after takng care of the older ones with out washing your hands to avoid bringing over germs. After the chicks are old enough you can house them close together so they can get use to each other and then introduce them into the same area. They will work things out and establish a pecking order. Free chickens are good and it takes time to get them to the age of the ones you have been offered. If it where me I would accept them and follow these fews steps as well as the other advice you will get from this sight.

 

[#1California Chick]

If you get the hens, you will need to keep them away from your chicks for 3 to 4 weeks to make sure that they are not carrying any disease.

Then you should put the hens and the chicks where they can see each other, but not get to each other (like divide the run with chicken wire). Then you can try putting them together (watch they carefully!!!). There will be at least SOME fighting until they get the pecking order worked out.

Good luck!!

Cindy

 

[Padre]

What they said!

 

[warhorse]

I heard that, when integrating, always have more of the younger ones than the older ones. For example, put 6 "younger" ones in with just 2-3 "older" ones and always have ample space, feed, water, etc. Also, putting them in at night seems to keep the squabbles down... they sleep together and wake up with new "family".