When to introduce ?

[LeslieRowley]

hey all

I have 13 chicks that just moved out to the coop (6 weeks on Thursday), 6 of which are hens (and we will be getting rid of our roosters in this crew) these guys are pure mutts and some pure Ameraucanas. I also have 14 orpingtons that are now 2 weeks old. We had them side by side where they could see one another easily for the last 2 weeks. So I'm being way too proactive but wondering what you'd suggest. I do intend to bring the babies outside in a dog crate in the next week or so to continue their introduction. Any other suggestions and when would it be safest to introduce them?

 

[Mrs. K]

I recently had two older birds, that were about 6 weeks older than the chicks. None of them were laying, I had great luck with a safety zone, and three days they were one flock, so I am an advocate of getting down there early. Mine went to the coop at 1 week. I had them trained to sleep in a wooly hen at night so they were used to the dark.

I put the dog carrier next to a pen, fed and watered them there. At night they went into the dog carrier - they were used to sleeping in that. I shut the carrier, and carried it into the coop. Rinse repeat, on the third day, I lifted the fence a couple of inches off the ground, eventually the chicks found their way out, but could scuttle back to a safe spot. 3 days later I took down the whole works.

It was a little tricky getting them in the coop the first night, but by the third night they were in there!

Usually when I have had different ages before, I would have 2 sub flocks, and I am wondering what will happen when the older girls do begin to lay. But as of now, they sleep together, and are one flock.

 

[LeslieRowley]

I recently had two older birds, that were about 6 weeks older than the chicks. None of them were laying, I had great luck with a safety zone, and three days they were one flock, so I am an advocate of getting down there early. Mine went to the coop at 1 week. I had them trained to sleep in a wooly hen at night so they were used to the dark.

I put the dog carrier next to a pen, fed and watered them there. At night they went into the dog carrier - they were used to sleeping in that. I shut the carrier, and carried it into the coop. Rinse repeat, on the third day, I lifted the fence a couple of inches off the ground, eventually the chicks found their way out, but could scuttle back to a safe spot. 3 days later I took down the whole works.

It was a l'ittle tricky getting them in the coop the first night, but by the third night they were in there!

Usually when I have had different ages before, I would have 2 sub flocks, and I am wondering what will happen when the older girls do begin to lay. But as of now, they sleep together, and are one flock.

You're awesome. Ill continue with the consistency of them around one another. Hearing how you're went i have some hope for ours. Ill be removing some of the roos before the full integration too.

 

[DougVC]

I had a similar strategy and the same results. We had 2 sets of chicks 9 at 8 weeks and 5 more at 4 weeks. Would put them together so they could see each other but not get at each other for about 4-5 days. Then let them interact without the barrier with some close surveillance. We had a couple pecks from the older pullets, but it went smooth. I would say the sooner you can introduce them, the better.

 

[aart]

I would say the sooner you can introduce them, the better.

Ditto Dat!