Yeah, the new girl has a question already,,,HI ALL!!!

[skyfires]

I hope this is in the right forum. If not, please let me know. I have been reading posts for a few days now, I just love this site. In fact, this is my first post ever!!
Anyway, this has to do with my new EE's. You see, all my other chicks are a month older than they are, and I'm having a problem introducing them to the flock. Everyone seems to want to pick on the new chicks. I have them in a little 'play pen', but when I let them in with my other chicks, the fight is on!! The older chicks and pretty rough on them. How can I make the introduction a little easier on the new babies?? They have a large run and hen house. Space isn't a issue,,Thanks!!!
The chicks are 4 months old, and 3 months, so they are close in size,,,,

 

[Jolyn]

I just introduced mine to another younger chick. I kept her in a little tub right inside the coop. It had a cover on it with chicken wire so she had plenty of air flow. Then during the day i put her out in the run in a wire dog crate. That way the other chickens could see her and get to know her but couldn't get to her. I did this for about a week. Then i started letting her out in the run only with me out there. Then i let her stay out all day and then finally i let her go right into the coop with them. They accepted her nicely. I went in one night and they were all roosting and seemed to be moving over slowly so she would have space on the roost too. Very cute.

It takes time.

 

[Marlinchaser]

If they are close in size let them establish order amongst themselves, you may want to have a temporary divider between them so they see each other prior to actually being able to get to each other so it wont be such a shock when NEW chicks are introduced.

 

[skyfires]

Thank you all for your quick answers,,,they are all about the same size, so I will try the chicken playpen approach. I'll give them a week or so just seeing each other, then slowly letting them run together while I'm around. Again, Thank you for your quick responses. Wish us luck,,,,

: weee