Adding chicks to flock, contamination?

[junglebird]

I’ll be adding chicks to my existing flock this spring and have some questions:

Proximity of brooder to grown flock?
My coop occupies one end of my hoop house. I'd like to put my brooder in the hoop house a few feet away from the coop. I will provide enough barrier to prevent the heat lamp from bugging my flock.

What I’m wondering about is contamination: my 9 month old flock ranges in my woodland, and has picked up who-knows-what pathogens from worms, slugs and wild bird/turkey droppings. Their coop is deep litter, not dusty, but definitely containing ... ya know, poop and stuff. The brooder would be in the same shared air space as the coop (the hoop house is 9'x40'), though it's fairly well ventilated. Are chicks successfully raised in existing coops with simply a little pen in the corner? Or, are chicks too susceptible to airborne pathogens for this to work - do they need to be in an entirely separate air space?

Age to integrate chicks with flock?
I've read anywhere between 6 and 16 weeks (and even 2 weeks!). I have LF heritage, dual purpose breeds.

Feed for layers and meat?
The new dual purpose chicks are being raised primarily for meat, but they will live with the existing layer flock. What should I feed them all?

My hoop house coop:

 

[Ridgerunner]

I keep my brooder in the coop. Part of it is convenience to me so I don't have to put up with the dust in the house, part is to help with integration since they see each other from day 1, and part is to expose them to the pathogens the flock has while they are in the best condition to develop immunities. They are going to be exposed anyway at some point, so why not get it over early before they eat a lot of expensive feed. They can develop some immunities better if they are exposed early. I take dirt out of my run and feed it to them to introduce any cocci I might have for this very reason.

You do have to watch chicks in a brooder closely, whether they are exposed to other chickens or not. I personally don't see any huge additional risk in doing it early when they are closely confined and I can more easily watch them and treat if necessary.

Integration is a huge topic on its own. There are so many variables. Some flocks are more laid back than others and accept new members without too much trouble. Some flocks have vicious brutal bullies that seem to live to torment and kill weaker chickens. I do think how much room you have greatly influences your chance of success, but many people do it successfully many different ways. I have lots of space and have no problems with having them fully integrated at 12 weeks, but let me give you Buff's article. She has a lot of good information on the topic.

Buff’s Integration
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

Since you are raising them for meat with an egg laying flock, I suggest you get a feed that does not have the extra calcium in it that layer has. Layer usually has 16% protein. Feed for meaties is usually around 24% protein. I'd suggest looking for something around 20% as a good compromise and offer oyster shell on the side.

 

[junglebird]

Ridgerunner, thanks so much! That sounds sensible.

And for always being at the ready to help a newbie find their way, I give you this golden chicken award of Awesomeness

Thank you always for your assistance!