kokotg Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 We have 4 10 month old chickens, and we just picked up 2 chicks this morning to add to our little flock. The woman said they're "about 3 months old" but they look smaller than that to me. Right now we have a them in a separate enclosure and can keep them that way for as long as we need to (alternating which set of chickens gets to come out and have the run of the yard), but eventually I'd like to have them all together. Anyone BTDT and want to share their secrets? One of the little ones got out tonight and ran around for a little bit with the older ones. Mostly they just sort of lunged at her threateningly and then left her alone, but my leghorn got in a few good pecks (no blood or anything!) before I chased her off. The leghorn is a little moody. Also, whenever I do put them together, how much fighting is too much? I know with dogs, some people recommend not jumping in to break up fights immediately because the dogs need to work out the pack order and all that. Is it like that with chickens....or, umm, not? TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 No advice, but I'm eagerly awaiting the replies from those chickenkeepers out there. We've got a lovely harmonious little backyard flock of four hens and I've been wondering lately about how we'll add a few more when the time comes. :lurk5: astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 We have added chicks and young pullets to flocks in the past without incident, but we raise Rhode Island Red bantams and I think they are more gentle than production birds like Leghorns. So I'm not a lot of help :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 We've got two Barred Rocks and two Buff Orpingtons; all sweet. I love having hens! They make me happy! astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supermom Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I got so tired of the chick mess that I moved our 4 outside with 13 year old hens when the chicks were only about 6 weeks old. For just a few days, they were in a cage with the hens on the outside, but I think it was less than a week when we let them free. The hens were really bossy and pecky, but not to the point they were in danger. Several months later, that group of new chicks is laying laying eggs for us, but they are still low girls on the totem pole in the hen house. They live together just fine, but they all know their place. I would suggest just testing yours out, and see how they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 when you do add the new chooks in, do it just before roosting. that way they spend the night roosting with the old chooks, and get along better the next day. if you notice any severe pecking to the point of blood, immediately remove the young chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 We have added chicks and young pullets to flocks in the past without incident, but we raise Rhode Island Red bantams and I think they are more gentle than production birds like Leghorns. So I'm not a lot of help :D Bill yeah, the leghorn (Super--named by my then 4 year old) has kind of a split personality. Sometimes she's incredibly sweet (she likes to fly up and roost on my shoulder); other times she turns around to peck me when I touch her. And she's gone broody twice already. She is not your stereotypical leghorn, I don't think. She's also at the bottom of the pecking order of our current flock, so I think she's hoping to put these new ones in their place and have somebody to boss around :D. The new girls (whom my boys have now named Sidekick and Violet) are New Hampshire Reds. The others are a Buff Orpington, a Barred Rock, and a Silver Laced Wyandotte. They're all out in the yard together right now, with supervision. They're all ignoring each other at the moment...if the littles get near Super, she gives them a couple of pecks and chases them off, and then leaves them alone. So so far, so good. I think if things keep going okay, I'll start letting them loose together as long as we're home, so I'll hear any big fights, and keep them separated when we're not around until they get a little bigger. Thanks for the input everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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