KendraLeigh
In the Brooder
- Aug 28, 2020
- 35
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Hi All! I have some five-week-old chicks I am introducing to my 2 five-month-old hens. I was given advice by someone on this forum to start the introductions sooner rather than later. For the past week the chicks have been in a separate enclosure inside the large run during the day. I put them out in the morning and take them in at night, which is what I will have to continue doing until they are ready for the coop. Today for the first time I allowed the chicks out into the run with the older hens. I cut a small opening in the side of the chick enclosure so they could go in and out as they wished.
It did not go super well. The older hens chased and pecked the chicks who ventured out. This is to be expected, and I am willing to take it slow and supervise as long as I need to, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right! Please tell me if there is anything I can change in this daily routine:
1. Let hens out of coop.
2. Bring out chicks and put in separate enclosure with small exit hole blocked.
3. At various times of day, go out and unblock hole, supervise while chicks venture out, rescue if chasing and pecking ensues to the point of chick being cornered etc.
4. In evening, return chicks to indoor pen.
5. Lock hens up in coop for night.
6. Repeat.
Thank you!
It did not go super well. The older hens chased and pecked the chicks who ventured out. This is to be expected, and I am willing to take it slow and supervise as long as I need to, but I want to make sure I'm doing it right! Please tell me if there is anything I can change in this daily routine:
1. Let hens out of coop.
2. Bring out chicks and put in separate enclosure with small exit hole blocked.
3. At various times of day, go out and unblock hole, supervise while chicks venture out, rescue if chasing and pecking ensues to the point of chick being cornered etc.
4. In evening, return chicks to indoor pen.
5. Lock hens up in coop for night.
6. Repeat.
Thank you!