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New chicks

  • 01-06-2013 09:27PM
    #1
    cococoady
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭


    Hi all, I'm very new to chickens and looking after them. Today I got two 1 week old chicks from a friend and he also gave me a hen (the mother I think) to stay with them for a month or two.
    My question is could I add to the flock straight away with chicks or chickens from elsewhere. I've seen a few online that I'm interested in but I'm worried that if I get hens will they harm the chicks I already have or if I get chicks, will the hen I have harm them.
    I was kinda hoping to get more chicks and that the hen I have will take them under her wing, so to speak. But if that wasn't possible, then go for a hen.
    Any advise greatly accepted.
    Cheers


Comments

  • #2
    aonb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    I dont think a hen will 'adopt' other chicks unfortunately.
    You have a few choices - you could get a second hen with chicks, and just keep them seperate from each other for a week or so, but within view of each other (e.g. a wire partition down the run) and they would get used to each other, then gradually integrate them.
    or you could wait til the chicks are older (when you have to give the mother back - if I understood you right?) and get chicks that age (ish) and integrate them then?

    Basically, if you are trying to add any hens to an existing flock/hens, there should be a period (a week or so) of being able to see each other, but not together, then slowly let them spend time together for a while before dusk, increasing that time each day until they are mixing well. Some hens have no problems integrating, others have World War III :mad:


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