Adding new chickens to existing flock

[cloey011]

Hello, I have 5 one year old chickens in my flock, this spring I decided to get four more.
They're three weeks old and are doing well in their brooder, I'm planning on adding on a new coop for them, it'll be on the opposite end of the 12'x4' run that's attached to the existing coop. My plan is to heave them all share the same run space and hopefully retire at night in their respective coops. They will also be able to free range outside of the run during the day. My questions are, how do I introduce them to each other, how do I make sure they sleep in their assigned coop and what kind of feed do I give them since the older hens eat layer feed and the younger ones will need grower feed, I'm also not sure at what age should I bring the younger girls out with the older ones. Any advise would be greatly appreciated,

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I put mine out anywhere between 6-10 weeks based on outside temperatures.

You will need to divide up your run for a while until your chicks get used to the coop. Many young birds need help getting to bed when they are young. You may need to put them up at night.

After they seem comfortable with their coop you can open up the dividing fence and allow supervised mingling.

Down the road chickens may switch coops or stick to the one they are familiar with.

I personally don't feed layer anymore. I feed either a non medicated grower or an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells.

 

[cloey011]

Thanks, it all sounds like great advice!!
I'm looking forward to having them all outside together!!
Having chickens is addictive

 

[azygous]

My coops are set up as your intended plan - two coops on opposite ends of the run. Having a new, unoccupied coop for your baby chicks will make integration much easier. But eventually, one or two of the adults may choose to bunk there, especially if they are hassled at roosting time in their original coop. It usually doesn't cause any problems.

Many of us introduce our chicks to the adults beginning at two weeks, if raised in an indoor brooder, and from day one when brooded outside in proximity to the adults. It gives the chicks an early start at learning the different temperaments of the adult chickens, and the adults get to know the chicks before they grow to a size to be considered threat.

If you brood indoors, you can begin day trips to the run after two weeks of age. The chicks can do without heat for short periods. My chicks grow up in a safe pen in my covered run, and at two weeks, I open chick-size openings (more than one) in the pen so they can begin to mingle with the adults. This is safe to do because the chicks will run back inside the pen if they feel threatened.

After a minimum of a week of getting to know the adults, the chicks can move into the coop.

 

[cloey011]

My coops are set up as your intended plan - two coops on opposite ends of the run. Having a new, unoccupied coop for your baby chicks will make integration much easier. But eventually, one or two of the adults may choose to bunk there, especially if they are hassled at roosting time in their original coop. It usually doesn't cause any problems.

Many of us introduce our chicks to the adults beginning at two weeks, if raised in an indoor brooder, and from day one when brooded outside in proximity to the adults. It gives the chicks an early start at learning the different temperaments of the adult chickens, and the adults get to know the chicks before they grow to a size to be considered threat.

If you brood indoors, you can begin day trips to the run after two weeks of age. The chicks can do without heat for short periods. My chicks grow up in a safe pen in my covered run, and at two weeks, I open chick-size openings (more than one) in the pen so they can begin to mingle with the adults. This is safe to do because the chicks will run back inside the pen if they feel threatened.

After a minimum of a week of getting to know the adults, the chicks can move into the coop.

Thanks, that sounds good. I think I need to wait for the weather to get a little warmer, I live in New England and winter wants to hang on. But I'll bring them down next week, it's supposed to be in the 70s