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We have three chickens and today DH rang me to say that he had two 3 week old chickens for us. It was unexpected as we were not planning on getting more so I haven't had time to research how to look after young chickens or the best way to introduce them. Eeek.

The two baby chickens are presently in an old lawn mower catcher with shredded newspaper as bedding and the lawn mower is in a cardboard box on the porch. Should I put a hot water bottle in there as well? They do have feathers. By the way it is evening time here, so this is to house them overnight. I've got no idea yet what to do with them tomorrow morning!

Am I correct in thinking that if we just bunged them in the enclosure with the others that they may get beaten up? I did a quick Internet search and I see that some recommend a slow introduction across a fence for a few weeks. I could do that as the enclosure is divided into two, just have to barricade one entrance off. I would have to try and get some shelter for them though, although I guess they could live in the cardboard box at night (on our porch) for a wee while.

Your thoughts and recommendations please!

I've never introduced young chooks like that to older ones, but last year I bought two 6 month old layers who after a few days in with the ducks we got at the same time, got put in with the 3 x 2.5 year old girls.

It took them about 6 months to settle down quite honestly, and if I'd had another chook shed I would never have mixed the two together, and never will again. The old girls were so mean to the youngsters, and still are a bit (although one of the youngsters died a couple of months ago).