Chinot Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Help! I need advice! I'm just about to introduce two chicks to my two chickens - the chicks are getting too small for their current hutch and they need to start sharing with the bigger ones. However, the chickens are pecking the little ones. I've bought anti-pecking spray in the hope that this will make them stop; however, I'm nervous that this might also make the chicks stop preening themselves. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 It isn't a good idea to mix younger chicks with older hens. Some advice here and further info here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinot Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 The chicks are already 16 weeks old so I was hoping that it would've been fine to introduce them to the chickens. The older hens are around 7 months old. I've left all four of them to free range in the garden at the moment - I am hoping that doing this will get them used to each other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 That's how I introduced my 16 week ones...by allowing them all to free range together with the older birds and then waiting till the older birds were settled into he coop before putting the newbies in. Then up early the next morning to let them all out to free range again. It worked for me....but I don't know if that was luck, chance or doing it right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Can you make escape areas for the babies. I put extra obstacles in the run for them to shoot behind or onto and made sure nothing was against the side of the run so they couldn't get trapped. For me doing it slowly has worked and you can tell when they are ready. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Aaah. If they are 16 weeks they are just about at POL, so the slow intro method described in the second link I posted, tweaked to suit your personal requirements is your best way forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
