any tips on brooding chicks inside coop?

[Sauerkraut]

Lately I've been having questions on brooding chicks inside the coop. It will most likely be on the warmer side (75-80) where I live when he chicks get here. the problem is that I will have other birds in there, and I don't want to cause issues. However, I've heard that brooding inside the coop can help integrate them better? The chickens will be 2 silkies, and the chicks will be 2 Andalusians, 1 Polish, 1 Sapphire Jewel (egger mix), and one "meal maker" (surprise chick).

 

[FunClucks]

You'll need to keep them separated until they're fully feathered, about 4-6 wks old, for their safety. After you integrate, have a lot of run clutter and obstacles, where they can hide but the hens are too big to get to them. Set up a separate food and water station where there are barriers that only let chicks in, not hens. Otherwise the hens may prevent the chicks from eating and drinking by guarding the feeder and waterer. There will be pecking order issues from the older hens, but this is expected. As long as the chicks can run away to a safe area, they will be fine.

 

[SueT]

Improvise a see-no-touch setup in the coop, so the chicks can grow up in sight of the bigs. If the coop has a second doorway, extend this set-up to include part of the run. Since your chicks will outnumber the hens, I think you’ll have a good outcome.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What does your coop look like? How big is it (in feet or meters)? Same questions for the run. Photos can really help us see how it all goes together. For me it is a lot easier to give specific suggestions if I know what you are working with. Your expected weather and the number of chickens is great information, but it is not enough.

Your chicks will need age-appropriate food and clean water. They need predator protection, including protection from your adults. Keeping the brooder dry is important. They will need supplemental heat which means you will need electricity out there. To me the biggest challenge to brooding outside is the temperature swings. They need a warm enough spot in the coldest temperatures and a cool enough spot in the warmest temperatures. These are the things that would concern me during the brooder stage.

My suggestions during the integration phase will heavily depend on what you have to work with. Sometimes that can be really easy, sometimes it takes a lot of effort.

Good luck!