2 min readfrom Raising Chickens or Other Poultry for Eggs, Meat, or as Pets

Introducing new chicks... Store-bought vs hatched

Our take

Introducing new chicks into a mixed flock can feel like a cluck-tastic adventure, especially when you’ve got a colorful crew of bantams and standard-sized chickens! With 11 newly purchased chicks, roughly six weeks old, safely brooding in the coop, and three adorable ones hatched by a broody hen just three weeks old, you’re in quite the feathered predicament. While your older hens seem to ignore the little ones during free range, it’s natural to wonder about integrating your store-bought chicks. The common advice is to wait until all birds are similar in size, but your situation is anything but traditional! Let’s explore how to navigate this delightful chaos and ensure everyone gets along in your charming chicken kingdom.
Introducing new chicks... Store-bought vs hatched
Introducing new chicks... Store-bought vs hatched

I've got a mixed flock that includes two bantams and nine other regular sized chickens. All of various colors and breeds... We have a little of everything.

I recently bought another 11 chicks, also of various breeds. They're about 6 weeks old and have been moved into a brooder box inside the coop, where they are safe from the big chickens but they can see each other.

At the same time, I had a broody hen hatch out three eggs. Those chicks are now about 3 weeks old. I've kept the momma and chicks in a separate pen so far, but have been letting them free range with the older hens during the day.

So far, the older ones pay them no mind whatsoever. The momma does tend to keep them away from the bigger ones for the most part, but when I throw out treats she'll bring them over and they'll get snacks.

My question is... If the momma and baby chicks are okay with the flock, will the store bought ones also be okay? They're much bigger than the hatched chicks already. And some of them are the same size as my adult bantams.

Just wondering how this works with such a mixed group! I know the recommendations are not to introduce until they're all the same size, but that doesn't apply to my hatched chicks and it's kinda weird to see them out and about while the others are kept locked up.

Ideas? Experience?

submitted by /u/_plot-twist_
[link] [comments]

Read on the original site

Open the publisher's page for the full experience

View original article

Tagged with

#chickens#fear of chickens#chicken breeds#chicken eggs#chicks#brooder box#mixed flock#bantams#hatched#store-bought#free range#broody hen#coop#keepers#adult chickens#treats#introductions#breeds#eggs#snacks