Adding new chicks to the rest of the group

[ttbkremer]

We have eggs in the incubator right now, they are due to hatch on November 23rd. How long/old do I have to wait to add them to the full grown/laying chickens. Thanks for your help

 

[Pumpkinpup]

You will have a long wait. If you put babies with a grown flock they will kill them. You had best be prepared to have a brooder and a juvie pen until they get old grown. Even then you need to be careful introducingthem to a established flock because of the dominance factor in chickens. It can get real ugly sometimes. I'm not trying to scare you but just prevent problems. I wish you lots of luck with your babies and want them to grow and thrive. I hope this helps.

Welcome to BYC

 

[debilorrah]

This worked for us PERFECTLY:

4 weeks in the house
4-6 weeks inside the hen house seperated but visible to the others
6-8 weeks cut a small hole in the seperator so they can get out but the others can't get in
8-9 weeks shut them out of the brooder during the day and let them back in at night
9 weeks, close them out completely

You may have to adjust the time spent on each step, depending on how your other birds act. I hope this helps!