adding Chickens

[jbahros]

I have 10 chickens, all 10 months old: Black australorp, buff orpington, white silkie, black laced Wynadotte, golden Wyandotte, cinnamon queen, light brahma, black sex link, Plymouth barred rock, Easter Egger. They all get along well. I built a beautiful coop 10x 12 ft and have an attached run with canopy and then a very large run, fenced on the sides with bird netting on top to keep out hawks. The canopy covered run is completely predator proof with hardware mesh on the sides, under canopy and on the ground buried one foot under the entire inside of the coop. I would like to add 6 more chickens, again all different breeds. I raised my existing chickens in the basement which worked well last year, no drafts, very nice space. I plan to order a silver spangled Hamburg, welsummer, back copper Maran, speckled Sussex, salmon Faverolles. Im just wondering how to best integrate them into the existing flock when they will be ready to go outside. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I brood mine in the coop so that the bug girls see them from day one. By the time they can go out to mingle the big girls already are used to them. If you cant do that then you would eventually have to set up a see but no touch scenario. Then slowly integrate the in.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Look-don't-touch for 2 weeks. Separate the new babies by a mesh or other form of see-through- barrier and have the babies (after their 6 week brood period in the basement) just live in that sectioned off area of the coop and or run. After two weeks of getting to know one another, you should be able to incorporate everyone with minimal bumps and bruises. Tried and true method!

 

[jbahros]

I brood mine in the coop so that the bug girls see them from day one. By the time they can go out to mingle the big girls already are used to them. If you cant do that then you would eventually have to set up a see but no touch scenario. Then slowly integrate the in.

Thank you so much. Great Idea.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I brood mine in the coop so that the bug girls see them from day one. By the time they can go out to mingle the big girls already are used to them. If you cant do that then you would eventually have to set up a see but no touch scenario. Then slowly integrate the in.

x2. With such a big coop I'd brood in the coop or in the more secured side of the run. By having the chicks grow up side by side with the older birds, it'll acclimate them to outside temperatures and conditions faster, and allow for a smoother and earlier integration, as long as you set up for it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ - I brood in the run but several other articles at the bottom showing similar set ups to give you additional ideas.

 

[jbahros]

x2. With such a big coop I'd brood in the coop or in the more secured side of the run. By having the chicks grow up side by side with the older birds, it'll acclimate them to outside temperatures and conditions faster, and allow for a smoother and earlier integration, as long as you set up for it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ - I brood in the run but several other articles at the bottom showing similar set ups to give you additional ideas.

Thank you so much. Very helpful.

 

[jbahros]

x2. With such a big coop I'd brood in the coop or in the more secured side of the run. By having the chicks grow up side by side with the older birds, it'll acclimate them to outside temperatures and conditions faster, and allow for a smoother and earlier integration, as long as you set up for it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ - I brood in the run but several other articles at the bottom showing similar set ups to give you additional ideas.

Wow so many great ideas. Thank you

 

[jbahros]

Look-don't-touch for 2 weeks. Separate the new babies by a mesh or other form of see-through- barrier and have the babies (after their 6 week brood period in the basement) just live in that sectioned off area of the coop and or run. After two weeks of getting to know one another, you should be able to incorporate everyone with minimal bumps and bruises. Tried and true method!

Yes, I like your approach. I like to have them in the basement so I can watch them very carefully and have lots of bonding time early on so they are friendly.

 

[aart]

I also brood in coop and integrate early.
It's some work to get it set up, but well worth the effort.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[Mamatomany123]

Yes, I like your approach. I like to have them in the basement so I can watch them very carefully and have lots of bonding time early on so they are friendly.

I still check on mine constantly (because they still make a mess with their food and water). All of mine are super friendly, come running up to me. The new babies are finally starting to not freak out when i pick them up but they're only around 2.5 weeks old.