Introducing a flock to one hen

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ICB42

ICB42

Chirping
Aug 22, 2015
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My husband and I have been raising chickens for about 1 year now, however this is the first time we had all of out flock killed. We had two survivors, however one of those died yesterday. She was smaller than all the others and got out of the coop and my dog killed her. We have figured out how they were getting out and fixed it. However we now have one laying hen, however we have a new flock of baby chicks that in 2 weeks we can move out side. I'm not sure how to go about doing this since the one hen is so much bigger than these new ones and I don't want her to feel out numbered because we have like 19 new chicks, along with a rooster. Any advice on how to introduce them??
 
This is actually a really great situation for introduction. I'd do a straight introduction, add them to the coop during the nighttime. The older hen will have a very hard time picking on so many young birds, but there's no way they'll bother her.
 
So sorry to hear about your losses.
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To be safe, I would use 3 feeders, 3 waterers placed at a distance to be sure the smalls aren't bullied away from them. You could make a "safe house" in your coop with an opening large enough for the smalls, but not the adults. A melon or banana box works well. Folks cut out the top and cover with wire for light and ventilation. They might be just fine without, but it's nice for a timid small to have a place to get away. We'd love to see pictures....
 
Is the 'rooster' one of the chicks?
Do you have a large coop?

I'd go with a 'safe' area too...let the hen get used to the new horde before unleashing them on her.

Temporary wire wall for a week of 'look no touch',
then open up some small 'doors' so the chicks can roam the coop but escape to safety if needed.
 
The rooster is one of the chicks. I was thinking using that method, but because there were so many chicks I didn't think there would be much of a problem as far as the little chicks just because there were so many. The one we believe is a rooster we put out with her because he's the biggest of the chicks, and she didn't really mess with him so I'm thinking we won't have much of a problem, but I wanted to know what you guys thought about it. This is the first time we had to introduce with such a age difference. Thank you for all the comments I really appreciate them!! And all the help is appreciated as well!!!
 
Lots of different ways to do it....you've got to figure out what works best for your situation, sometimes by trail and tribulation/exultation.

How old are these chicks(maybe I missed that part) a male chick is a cockerel, immature and probably of no interest sexually to a grown hen.
That she didn't attack a single chick is a good indication that she will accept them all, tho she might be overwhelmed by their numbers.

Best of cLuck to yas!
 
Thank you!! They are about 4 weeks old. So they still have a couple of weeks till they go out into the coop but I wanted to get this information before we put them into the coop! I'm just excited to get them outside and to have them get bigger so I can see what they will look like as well as to have them start laying eggs. Sucks that I have to start all over AGAIN but we have learned and know what we need to do to protect our little chicks!!
 
So I'm curious how the introduction of lots of chicks went with the solo hen. I have one 7-month-old pullet remaining of 6 (three bear attacks and the mama bear keeps finding new places to break in, so now we have electric wire around it) ... and three 7-week-old chicks who are making day trips out of the brooder. My lone lucky hen seems out of sorts without her friends so I'm thinking of throwing them into the coop with her but I'm nervous. Right now, the chicks are in a dog pen in the run. Thoughts? TIA!
 
We put all of our littler ones in with our one hen... She can be a bully, but no major problems for the most part they are getting along fine
 

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