It's been a while! Anyways..

[_-CosmosEclipse-_]

My two Lohmann Brown chickens, Custard and Caramel, are outside, and I suspect they are both hens.

Anyways, A new batch of chickens are on the way, and I need some help with introducing the two with the new chicks.

I'm thinking when they're a similar size, I'll take a pair of the younger chicks, and allow those to interact with C & C under my watch.

After a week or two, I'll introduce another pair of chicks, and so on.

Is that a good idea?

Any suggestions if not?

Anyways, thanks! It's been a while since I last came on here, and a lot has happened since then.

- Cosmos

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome back to BYC!

Always introduce birds slowly in a flock to avoid too much aggression and injury. Especially with chicks, they need to be old enough to defend themselves and not break easily to older bigger birds. 3 months old is a good age to start introductions with chicks to more mature birds. All new birds need to either be caged or kept behind fencing or wire within the main flock for a couple of weeks so everybody sees but can't touch. On mixing day it helps to add more food and water stations as the main flock can guard these areas, this way the new birds can get sustenance. The main flock can't guard everything. I like to add hidy spaces, levels, branches, etc... for places to escape. There will be jostling and disagreements for quite some time, however if it turns bloody, always intervene. Cage any bully for a while if they become too overwhelming for the new birds. It can take a few months to see peace in your flock. Good luck!

 

[_-CosmosEclipse-_]

Welcome back to BYC!

Always introduce birds slowly in a flock to avoid too much aggression and injury. Especially with chicks, they need to be old enough to defend themselves and not break easily to older bigger birds. 3 months old is a good age to start introductions with chicks to more mature birds. All new birds need to either be caged or kept behind fencing or wire within the main flock for a couple of weeks so everybody sees but can't touch. On mixing day it helps to add more food and water stations as the main flock can guard these areas, this way the new birds can get sustenance. The main flock can't guard everything. I like to add hidy spaces, levels, branches, etc... for places to escape. There will be jostling and disagreements for quite some time, however if it turns bloody, always intervene. Cage any bully for a while if they become too overwhelming for the new birds. It can take a few months to see peace in your flock. Good luck!

Thank you so much! This is very helpful, and I'll try and use all your advice!

Thankfully, Custard & Caramel are only two sub-adults. Anyways, thanks!