Anyone know how to introduce new chicks to my flock?

[ChocolateWingTheRooster]

I was thinking about getting new chicks, but when the time comes, how am I able to introduce new chicks to my flock of 11 chickens?

Thanks in advance...

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I put them in a rabbit cage in the chicken house. They have their own food and water dishes as well. After a week or two I open the door and let them go in and out at their own desire.
The grown chickens usually want to go in and investigate the rabbit cage when the door is opened too, lol.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you have the set up for it, you could try for an early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[Mrs. K]

Your set up will determine most of it. The more often you add and remove birds, the better the flock does with it.

I have found younger works best. And I have been very happy with a safety zone. A sectioned off place in the run, with a shelter for the wind, in which chicks can retreat to safety through openings that the older birds cannot follow.The shelter can be a tote box or cardboard box laid on its side.

I prefer either a open box mesh, so that the chick can reach the safety zone from any where. The first time I did this I used lattice panels which the 3 week old chicks could go like water. I have also used chicken wire, that was about 4-6 inches off the ground.

Inside the safety zone, I put chick feeders and water.

The first day, I let the bigger birds outside the run and lock them out. Then I put the chicks in the safety zone, and sit there with a cup of coffee. Eventually a few will get brave, and wander out of the safety zone, where by, I give a mock chase, and they scurry back inside to safety.

Later I let the big girls in. What I see happen, is the chicks explore, and run to safety when the older hens give chase or a peck. Within a week, the chicks are eating with the big girls, and I take the safety zone down.

However, I do have a very large run, I have numerous hideouts scattered through out the run, I have platforms, that are low to the ground, where a chick can fit easily, and often feed under that. I have multiple feed places set so that while eating at one place, a bird cannot see another eating at another feed station.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

If you have the set up for it, you could try for an early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Yes, This!!^^^
Definitely the best and easiest integrations I've had.

Still good to follow the....
Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with Mrs K, your set-up has a lot to do with how to go about it. The more room you have in the coop and outside the better. Aart's comments about places to hide addresses the quality of the room you have.

My brooder is in the coop so the chicks grow up with the flock. At five weeks I open the brooder door and walk away. It can be that easy. But I have the room and weather that the chickens can be outside all day every day if they wish, and mine do. When they are outside the chicks can easily stay 40 or 50 feet away from the adults. My coop has lots of hiding places and even a separate juvenile roost for the chicks when they are ready to start roosting. Mine won't go on the main roosts with the adults until they mature enough to force their way into the pecking order, usually about the time the pullets start to lay. Unless you have a set-up like mine it might not be this easy.

There are other techniques, especially if space is tight. If you let us know what you have to work with we might be able to give more specific advice.

 

[ChocolateWingTheRooster]

I agree with Mrs K, your set-up has a lot to do with how to go about it. The more room you have in the coop and outside the better. Aart's comments about places to hide addresses the quality of the room you have.

My brooder is in the coop so the chicks grow up with the flock. At five weeks I open the brooder door and walk away. It can be that easy. But I have the room and weather that the chickens can be outside all day every day if they wish, and mine do. When they are outside the chicks can easily stay 40 or 50 feet away from the adults. My coop has lots of hiding places and even a separate juvenile roost for the chicks when they are ready to start roosting. Mine won't go on the main roosts with the adults until they mature enough to force their way into the pecking order, usually about the time the pullets start to lay. Unless you have a set-up like mine it might not be this easy.

There are other techniques, especially if space is tight. If you let us know what you have to work with we might be able to give more specific advice.

How do I integrate new chicks when my chickens free-range? They have a small run to begin with, (that they all definitely escape from) so that probably won’t work fo them...

 

[Ridgerunner]

Free range! Wow! Still don't know how big your coop is or how it's set up but free range could make it really easy.

I'd house the chicks somewhere that the older chickens can see them for at least a couple of weeks. I don't know what yo have to work with so can;t get too specific. Keep the chicks there until you are confident they will return there at night. Then let them out during the day to range. The older ones may become curious and check them out, but usually they quickly ignore them. After they have ranged outside at the same time for about a moth, you can try to move them into the main coop. If the coop is big enough it should go OK.

You don't get guarantees with living animals, anything can happen. It's always possible one of your older hens is a pure brute when it comes to younger chickens. That's just as likely to be your sweetest hens any other. But the majority of time with that kind of room outside you don't have problems. The area I'd be concerned about is inside your coop if they are locked in there together, especially if it is small.