If I get a few baby chicks, can I get a few more 3 or 4 days later and put them all together with no pecking problems? How old are the chickens when they can start picking on others? Also, what's the max number of days that I can introduce new babies together with no problem?
New Chicks
Hard to say...some babies are a bit aggressive from day one. But right now I have 7 babies from 12 hours to two weeks together and they are doing fine. But the older chicks are bantams and the younger are standards--so there is no size difference.
I would watch them carefully though, especially at first--there is always the potential for problems when you first introduce chickens to each other.
I agree with Cat it's hard to predict how they will react i have Standard, Bantams and 3 Turkey poults all together and have had no problem.
Like cat said put them together and keep a watch on them and be prepared to move them if necessary.
Heres a pic of my mismatched brood
I can say that this batch of Large Fowl Ameraucanas I have are the BEST for a mixed flock. I have 3 that are huge, about 3 weeks old, and I can put 3 day old tiny lil Seramas in there and they just go on about their business like nothing happened.. Well, that is, when they get over being terrified of the lil bumble bee lookin things. LOL
Really, a few days difference in age is not much, but can mean the world of difference when it comes to acceptance. I usually get the babiez really full and content when I put some new ones in, like I feed them some boiled egg yolk that they gorge on.. then they are not hungry and ready to pick at lil toes... they are ready to snuggle and go to sleep.
Good idea to get them good and full. And yes, I will definitely watch them! I may be getting 2 speckled sussex next Wednesday and I am going to place my larger order as soon as I get ahold of the person who's building a coop for me and make sure I have one coming! I'm hoping that order comes in next week as well, but we'll see.
I just was offered a 3x10 run which I hope to pick up in a day or two. So things are progressing!
Here is a pic of their first day outside.. They spotted me and came running
Here is a closer shot... The teeny tiny Seramas didn't get to go out and play yet.. These are pretty small..
I wanted a couple of Seramas but was told they were too small to put in with a regular size flock. Are you going to separate yours at some point?
Soooo cute!
Yes, I will separate them.. I think...or I intend to.. but who knows, I never intended to have the crazy flock I have, so what ever is peaceful.. that's what works with me.
My Serama rooster who is only 13 ounces is the dominant roo. His #1 woman is a toss up between a speckled sussex and a cochin bantam.. LOL I have Modern Game bantams, in the mix also.. (Not breeding and I'm not hatching any if they do)
I think it depends on the environment, and the breed. I have a very peaceful flock now.. and it's a wild looking mix!
I will be separating mine pretty soon the Turkeys and light Brahmas are out growing the Modern game bantams fast.
The bantams and light Brahma's will all go to their own pens and the Turkeys will have their own fenced area.
One of my turkeys is a Narragansett and the other 2 are supposed to be royal palms.