How long does it take for a flock of chickens to accept new chickens?
It can take quite a long time – up to 3 weeks for new chickens to get to like each other. Be patient. There will be pecking orders established so some pecking is okay. Just watch to make sure they aren't fighting for more than 20-30 seconds, drawing blood.
Will chickens accept a new chicken?
While some chickens will be tolerant of the newcomer, leaving her to be, others will give them not so warm a welcome- pecking and bullying them so they understand that their place is at the bottom of the pecking order. This can be very stressful for new chickens, especially those that are young.
Can you mix old and new chickens?
NEVER Ever Put Baby Chicks in with an Adult Flock And it's very important to note that baby chicks should NEVER be added to a flock of adult hens, or even older pullets. You need to wait to add new chickens to the flock until they are at least 8 weeks old and preferably closer to 12-14 weeks old.
Can you introduce more chickens to existing flock?
Once each hen knows its place in the flock and they should get on fine. An established flock will not readily welcome new hens to their group and can be surprisingly vicious. Introducing hens to an established flock will need patience, and often takes a couple of weeks to settle.
What is the best way to introduce new chickens?
Be sure there is plenty of space to prevent overcrowding. One way to help both groups acclimate to each other is to place the two groups in side-by-side runs. Placing the two groups next to one another for one week can help the birds form bonds before being housed together.
How do I get my flock of chickens to accept new chickens?
Simply place the new chickens in the house with them at night. In the morning let your hens out and keep an eye on them. There will be some pecking and scraps while your chickens establish the pecking order but they should settle after roughly a week.
Why should chickens of different ages should not be mixed?
Don't just combine the two groups and assume it's fine. There will be the occasional scuffle. An adult bird may peck a younger chick, and if it draws blood it can turn very dangerous for the younger bird.
Will big chickens hurt little chickens?
The older chickens peck the newcomers hard. They chase them, and they try to keep the newcomers away from the food and water supply. Through all of this, the new chickens can become weakened and even seriously injured or in the most extreme cases, killed.
When should you replace your chickens?
Traditional wisdom for keeping a flock in peak production is to completely replace a laying flock every two years, with some even recommending it every year. The rationale for this is that by the end of the second laying season, most hens are worn out and won't produce enough eggs to justify feed expenses.
Will chickens fight at night?
Introduce new chickens at night-time as this can help to minimise fights – use a torch, place new birds on perches or in the coop as birds are far less likely to start fighting at night and tend to be less aware of new additions once it gets lighter.
Do hens fight new hens?
Some hens welcome newcomers, while others are more standoffish and still others are downright bullies pecking at the new birds until they understand their place at the bottom of the pecking order. This can not only stress out the new birds, but it can also cause some serious injuries and in extreme cases, death.
Will big chickens hurt little chickens?
The older chickens peck the newcomers hard. They chase them, and they try to keep the newcomers away from the food and water supply. Through all of this, the new chickens can become weakened and even seriously injured or in the most extreme cases, killed.
How do you introduce a new chicken to the coop?
Take a fairly docile and mid-order hen from the existing flock and put her with the newbie for a week or so until they seem to get along. Then introduce both of them to the flock. Adding Roosters: Adding a new rooster to an existing flock is a very bad idea.
What to Know Before Introducing New Chickens
How to Introduce New Chickens to An Existing Flock
- There are a few different ways to introduce new chickens to your flock. Many folks have their own way of doing things that works for them. Sometimes one thing will work and then it won’t, it is trial and error. So you have to be flexible and sometimes get creative. Before you introduce them you will need to quarantine your new chickens. We will dis...
Common Problems and What to Do About Them
- Most of the time the flock integration will go fairly smoothly but every now and again there is a problem. Rushing Integration:You should never be in a hurry to rush the introduction. It is important to give both flocks enough time to adjust to seeing each other. This is going to be a big change to the current pecking order so you can certainly expect a few outbreaks of inappropriat…
Special Circumstances For Flock Integration
- Broody Hens:If you have a broody hen that has raised chicks you will not have to worry about integration. The chicks will have noted the flock dynamic and will act accordingly. Any move against the chicks is usually blocked by Mama Hen. Sometimes an overly aggressive or dominant rooster will attack the chicks but this is the exception not the rule. Introducing A Single Chicken:…
Summary
- We have given you all the different methods for introducing new chickens to your existing flock. All of them tried and tested by chicken keepers everywhere. Some methods will work and others will not, so you really do have to be flexible in your thinking. If your flock is mainly docile breeds then the integration should go relatively smoothly and be done in a week or so. However if you h…