Any suggestions or advice for integrating a new chick?

[venetta]

Hello,

We got a 'day old' chick on Monday 2 June and she has been growing up under her heat lamp and is now about 6-7 weeks of age.
We're looking to start integrating her into our flock slowly but was hoping to get any advice from anyone on the best ways to do so..

We have a 6x3m aviary for our chickens and I've got a small soft crate which I was going to pop in there for this little one to go in and keep her safe during the day while being in the presence of the older hens.

I am just worried as it's the middle of winter here and maximums haven't reached 20 degrees celsius in the last few weeks so I am afraid she might get too cold during the day? She won't have anyone to snuggle up to and we have no power near to the aviary to set up a heat lamp..

So if anyone can please give me any advice on the best way to integrate her it would be very much appreciated!
I look at only allowing her in with the other chickens (in the crate) when we are home so we can keep an eye on everything, but that unfortunately will only be the weekends at this stage!

Sorry for the rambling, but I just hope someone might be able to give some advice

Cheers!!
Venetta

 

[Judy]

She should do OK with the temp if she is well feathered and not in a draft. I'd probably put an extra pile of hay in there for her to snuggle into, though. You may need to keep her separate but in view of the others for a few weeks, or even til she is about their size, before they will accept her. People have different experiences with this. There will still be some pecking, of course.

Here's just one thread about different people's methods and experiences:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/803815/integrating-two-groups/0_20

Good luck!