4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[oomska]

This is my first posting and I need some help! We have had our two beautiful chickens for over a year now and they are thriving and we adore them. A well meaning friend gave us a 2 and a half week old bantam chick as a birthday present last Saturday. She has fluffy feet and is gorgeous. BUT my two older chickens seem totally freaked out by her. I've been putting her into the eglu with the door shut while they roam free, hoping they would get used to her, but they won't go near her and are making a right hullabaloo of noise! They have also started laying soft eggs the last couple of days. How do I get them aquainted - or don't I? Today, I kept the chick indoors in a puppy crate, but thats not the happy life I want her to have. Has anyone any advice please?

[Falkor]

I would NOT put the chick in with your existing girls...

 

The general advice is not to intergrate chooks until they are at POL (19 weeksish) or until they are the same size.

 

Your existing girls could attack and kill the chick. At 2 and a half weeks the chick seems very young to be off heat. You may want to keep her indoors for another few weeks.

 

If it were me I would get a little friend of the same age for the chick and keep them seperate from your existing girls until at least POL. Are you existing girls bantams too? Some people say that bantams should not mix with large fowl...some people manage it successfully.

 

Info in FAQs about introducing...I have used these methods and all went well

[oomska]

Thanks for your response. My other chucks aren't bantams - they're the ones omlet supply and are big girls. This was a bit of an irresponsible present from my friend and has left me with a right dilema! I realise the chick is way too tiny to introduce to them yet, but do you think she (and maybe a little chum) would be ok indoors until POL?

[Falkor]

I am not sure if they will need heat or not....Redwing will know and I am sure she will be about shortly.

 

I think you could keep them indoors with heat (lightbulb) for another few weeks and providing weather is ok they can go outside in seperate housing at about 6 weeks I believe.

[oomska]

Thanks for that. My garden layout can't deal with more than one chicken coop so sadly, I think we have little option but to give the chick back to the breeder. We have been told this is an option, and then at least she will be with other siblings.

[Olly]

What a shame, but maybe that's best - could you sort of have a credit note against a new POL girl at a future date?

 

It's not the first time I've heard of well-meaning friends giving chicks as presents. I've got a cat, but I wouldn't expect someone to give me a kitten as a gift.

[Redwing]

The chick should be on at least night heat till 4 weeks, a 40w lightbulb over a box (anglepoise lamp) would do it

 

Once it reaches 6 weeks old it can go outside in a rabbit hutch or simlar but won't be able to go with the others until about 20 weeks of age and even then it could be a problem as they are so much bigger and will be on home ground so gentle slow intros will be needed and it still might not be a success

 

Its a real shame, if the breeder will take it back then that would be the best way to go i'm afraid

 

Some well meaniing people unfortunately don't understand chicken world, I am sure they felt they were doing an ok thing

[Lewis]

Its a real shame, if the breeder will take it back then that would be the best way to go i'm afraid

I aggree

Or the only other thing would be to get another chick to keep it company and make introductions a bit easier .

[oomska]

Thanks you so much for all your feedback. Sadly, she has to go - its the kindest thing for her. We are gutted as she was hand reared by children at a school and so is the tamest and cutest thing imaginable. BUT her welfare is the most important thing - sob! Thanks guys.

[Egluntyne]

Article **here**about introducing chicks to older hens, from the Frequently Asked Section.