Baby chickens

[1954clr]

what is a good age to put baby chicks in with th flock

 

[yickenscarf23]

When they are feathered, I move them into the coop in a cage where the other birds can see but not touch them. After a week or so in there, I'll slowly let them range around the yard together and observe closely. Works a lot better than throwing them out together.

 

[Henry&Friends]

Around 8-12 weeks i integrate them by fencing in a small run and part of the coop for them. I choose this way so they sleep and interact with each other without touching, and they (chicks) have room to establish their pecking order before having to find their place in the whole flock. You can also just put them in with the hens, and watch how that goes. If it doesn’t work out, there’s always other ways to do it

 

[ValerieJ]

My 6 week old chicks are out in an adjacent run with their own coop. I'll leave them there for several weeks because I like to have them a little larger before integration. I may do it sooner this time around because I don't have any aggressive hens at the moment. First time in 4 years!!! In the meantime they are all getting to know each other through a fence. After integration, they will still have their own coop to go back to, or they can join the bigger hens in one of the other coops. We have 3 runs and coops for the purposes of integration and separation. I think you just have to keep them near the older flock for a week or so in a see, no touch situation, and then watch at integration to see what works with your flock.

 

[FortCluck]

I have a chain link dog kennel that's massive that I put all my chicks in and ducklings so everyone can see each other but they cannot be harmed. After about a week or two I let them out and it usually goes very smoothly.

 

[chickens really]

Are they under a Broody or Brooder raised?

 

[rosemarythyme]

There's no one correct response - every flock is different and every set up is different. Some of us integrate early (with a good broody, some chicks will start roosting with the flock as early as 2-3 weeks), some don't integrate until they're nearly adult size.

If you have the set up to allow for early integration, then even brooder raised chicks can be with the adults as early as 4-6 weeks.

 

[chickens really]

There's no one correct response - every flock is different and every set up is different. Some of us integrate early (with a good broody, some chicks will start roosting with the flock as early as 2-3 weeks), some don't integrate until they're nearly adult size.

If you have the set up to allow for early integration, then even brooder raised chicks can be with the adults as early as 4-6 weeks.

Not right or wrong but having a Broody Momma to introduce the Chicks to a flock is the easiest way...

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not right or wrong but having a Broody Momma to introduce the Chicks to a flock is the easiest way...

That would be fantastic if only I had a hen go broody whenever I planned to get chicks.

 

[ValerieJ]

Not right or wrong but having a Broody Momma to introduce the Chicks to a flock is the easiest way...

I agree, but OP hasn't come back in to answer your original question of whether the chicks are under a broody hen or in a brooder. I think the rest of us just assumed the latter.