Introducing chicks with hens....

Date sort Score sort
ch1ckenmama

ch1ckenmama

In the Brooder
Aug 16, 2016
55
2
46
So, I let the chicks out if their brooder (located in the coop) amd two of our hens went right after them and were being mean. I ended up seperating them. I know this is normal but do I just let them do their thing? I know there will be some picking on. I just got worried and scared because I have never had to introduce chicks to hens before. Its beautiful outside and I want them all to be able to enjoy the run. Any help to put my mindnat ease would be great.
 
I would say to keep them separated for a little while until the chicks are a bit bigger. Chickens dont understand the concept of age but they do understand size. What you can do is build a small coop for the chicks and let them live there until they are a bit larger.
 
What age are these chicks? Can you arrange a temporary divider so they can see each other but not peck? That's what I am getting ready to do with my 4 wk olds.
There are many BYC forums discussing adding new members to the flock, with extensive discussions, examples, and helpful advice. Good luck!
 
How old are your chicks? I'm just integrating three five week old chicks into my herd of seven full grown hens now. I put them in a wire cage at night with food and water. During the day they had the run of the Run while the Bigs went out to free range. I did this for two weeks now I let everyone out into the yard during the day. The littles are staying close to the run, they go in and out. If they get too close to a hen she pecks at them but I have only one Leghorn that actively chases them. They are getting beavers but it's good they are faster than the hens.
 
SueT said:
What age are these chicks?   Can you arrange a temporary divider so they can see each other but not peck?   That's what I am getting ready to do with my 4 wk olds.   
There are many BYC forums discussing adding new members to the flock, with extensive discussions, examples, and  helpful advice.  Good luck!
Click to expand...

The chicks are about 6 weeks old. They have been in the coop in a brooder box that has net siding so they hens have been able to see them for awhile now. Maybe I can section off part of the run so they can go out without being picked on by the hens.
 
Little Fuzzy said:
How old are your chicks? I'm just integrating  three five week old chicks into my herd of seven full grown hens now. I put them in a wire cage at night with food and water. During the day they had the run of the Run while the Bigs went out to free range. I did this for two weeks now I let everyone out into the yard during the day. The littles are staying close to the run, they go in and out. If they get too close to a hen she pecks at them but I have only one Leghorn that actively chases them. They are getting beavers but it's good they are faster than the hens. 
Click to expand...

They are about 6 weeks. My hens almost a year. The chicks have been in their brooder in the coop so the hens could see them and get to know them. It took the out the other day and 2 hens kept pecking at them. So I seperated them. The weather is getting nice and I want the chicks to get outside but worried the hens will hurt them.
 

Similar threads

B
    • Like
Introducing Chicks to aggressive flock
Replies
5
Views
1K
Lpsouth1978
L
hunnyjoconnor
Intergrating question
Replies
5
Views
605
Ridgerunner
Ridgerunner
S
    • Wow
Chicks of different ages in brooder?
Replies
2
Views
793
SusiesPeeps
S
C
    • Like
Introducing chick grit
Replies
3
Views
867
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme
C
Hens weaned chickens once rooster was introduced again into the same pen
Replies
1
Views
641
WhiteCollarWeezy
WhiteCollarWeezy

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom