Best way to introduce new chicks to the flock

[JoshB]

My hens are about 5 years old. I want to add a few more chicks to the flock. What's the best way to do this? Any pitfalls to avoid?

Thanks in advance!

 

[chrismahon]

That's a difficult thing to do Josh. How difficult will depend on their available space because they may well be attacked as intruders and won't be able to escape. Normally you would put them within sight of the oldies, but in a separate coop and run. After several weeks you might attempt to mix them in the same run, but you will need to be there. They will always go back to their coop. If you remove it they might use the oldies one but there is always a risk in a confined space.

Mixing in new birds to an existing flock is always a risky process and is something we have avoided doing for very many years now. We just give newbies a new coop and run area within the existing secure enclosure and don't attempt to mix them.

I remember we added some to the coop at night once, after a short period alongside the oldies, by just putting them on the perch. Acting on advice, we sprayed the whole flock with lavender, including the newbies, the idea being they all smelled the same. Surprisingly it worked, but it could have been a fluke? We must have added extra feeders and drinkers as well of course. Never tried that again.

 

[JoshB]

thanks for the input @chrismahon!
I hadn't realized it would potentially be so difficult! I do have the ability to cordon off an area for the new chicks. I will have the ability to supervise them so that won't be an issue.

Thanks again!

 

[Cab]

When you say chicks - you don't actually mean chicks, you mean point of lay hens, right? I wouldn't fancy trying to introduce chicks.

We have a spare hen house and a door between two chicken runs. That allows us to introduce new hens and let them yell death threats at each other for a few weeks, sort out most of the pecking order, before taking the plunge and allowing them to mix. Its always good to introduce more new, younger birds to fewer older birds. And however cautious you are, expect it to be feisty,

 

[Touchstone]

I’m going to attempt to introduce 3 pol to one old lady, wish me luck

 

[JoshB]

keep us updated @Touchstone !

 

[Touchstone]

collected 3x14 week Burford Brown pullets last Saturday, they have mingled very well with one Novo Brown old lady . They now are roosting together and out in the paddock on range, I can’t say they like each other , more of a tolerance , one of the newcomers being the boss girl.