Adding 10 Chicks to existing flock of 3

[Juniperchick15]

I'm new here so sorry if this has been answered somewhere already. I currently have 3 chickens that are 3 years old and this spring we decided to get 10 new chicks to add to the flock. We raised them in a brooder in the house and this last week they turned 6 weeks old. We have split the coop in half with chicken wire so the big girls get one side and the little ones get the other but they can see each other. The big girls are allowed to roam outside during the day and after we put the little ones outside the big girls wanted nothing to do with them. I had fears they would try and attack but they honestly seem scared of them. When it was time for the big girls to go back into the coop we had to corral them because they did not want to get close to the little ones. We had planned on waiting till the little ones get bigger before letting them all together. I guess my question is has anyone had the older girls act scared of the new chicks when they are outnumbered? I really want them to be a happy flock one day. Sorry for the long post.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Wait until the new chicks are fully feathered before introducing them to the original flock

 

[aart]

I'm new here so sorry if this has been answered somewhere already. I currently have 3 chickens that are 3 years old and this spring we decided to get 10 new chicks to add to the flock. We raised them in a brooder in the house and this last week they turned 6 weeks old. We have split the coop in half with chicken wire so the big girls get one side and the little ones get the other but they can see each other. The big girls are allowed to roam outside during the day and after we put the little ones outside the big girls wanted nothing to do with them. I had fears they would try and attack but they honestly seem scared of them. When it was time for the big girls to go back into the coop we had to corral them because they did not want to get close to the little ones. We had planned on waiting till the little ones get bigger before letting them all together. I guess my question is has anyone had the older girls act scared of the new chicks when they are outnumbered? I really want them to be a happy flock one day. Sorry for the long post.

Welcome to BYC....good first post.
I have seen older birds seem scared of new chicks, I brood in coop and integrate at about 4 weeks, and the sheer numbers in your case could also contribute to that.
They will kind of be 2 separate flocks until the chicks mature to onset of lay, then the chicks will enter the main flocks pecking order.....at least that's the usual progression, might be different with your numbers.


So are the chicks going back into the coop on their own to roost after ranging?
But the older birds are now scared to enter the coop?
Knowing more about your setup, dimensions and pics, would help.

 

[Juniperchick15]

We have the chicks penned off so they can't free range yet. We are going to wait until they are older before letting them out. Right now they are penned off in an 8x4 foot area on one side of the coop/run. The big girls have a little less on their side since they really only come in to sleep and spend most of the day roaming the yard. We keep their food and water in the coop though and I'm concerned they aren't even coming in to drink during the day because they don't want to go near the chicks, at least I haven't seen them go in unless we force them to at night. I'm not sure if the peeping, especially at night, just annoys the older girls or what. I guess it's good they aren't trying to attack the babies, it's the exact opposite that concerns me. The babies also haven't figured the roost out yet and just keep sleeping in a chicken pile even though every night we try and put them on the roost. Thanks for the help!! I don't have a good picture of my set up. But here's a pic of the big girls avoiding the coop, and the little ones for size comparison.

 

[christwodog]

I am in a similar situation - I've got 12 8 week olds that I will be integrating to my existing flock of 3 2 year olds. I have the young ones set up next to the big girls coop, but separated by hardware cloth. The hens aren't afraid of the babies, but they aren't thrilled either. One hen is intent on trying to peck at them through the wire, the other two seem disinterested. So I don't know how this will play out in the coming weeks. Maybe you could bribe the hens with a favorite treat in the coop? Good luck! (Is that a faverolle in the chick picture? I love them!)

 

[Teila]

You might find some helpful tips on this previous discussion:

Topic of the Week - Integrating Chicks into an Adult Flock

 

[KeMe]

I'm in the same situation with my flock of year old hens and I need to intergrate 5 two month old chicks. My older hens have a large hen house and the chicks are in one of the prefab coops. They are side by side and can see each other. I would like to be able to have all of the flock to use the large hen house...and maybe use the small coop for a rooster.
So, I'm looking forward to reading all of your suggestions.

 

[aart]

Thanks for the help!! I don't have a good picture of my set up. But here's a pic of the big girls avoiding the coop, and the little ones for size comparison.

Not clear on the chick space inside the coop, older birds may be crowded in coop, or just not used to the 'invasion' yet. They do not like change.

Will add the 'basics' for tips that might help....
Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Juniperchick15]

Yes i

I am in a similar situation - I've got 12 8 week olds that I will be integrating to my existing flock of 3 2 year olds. I have the young ones set up next to the big girls coop, but separated by hardware cloth. The hens aren't afraid of the babies, but they aren't thrilled either. One hen is intent on trying to peck at them through the wire, the other two seem disinterested. So I don't know how this will play out in the coming weeks. Maybe you could bribe the hens with a favorite treat in the coop? Good luck! (Is that a faverolle in the chick picture? I love them!)

Yes, I got 2 salmon favorelles this time!! I read a lot of good things about the breed and wanted to try them. I love how unique they are with the 5 toes and fuzzy feet!