Baby Chicks and integrating them

[ashadfar17]

Hello!

I am going to be getting about 6 baby chicks the end of June and 16 baby chicks the end of July.

I also have 8 large chickens and 1 rooster. I was wondering what is the best way to integrate the baby chicks when it is time. When is the best time to integrate them and how old should the baby chicks be for integration?!

Cheers!

 

[azygous]

Congratulations! I know how excited you must be anticipating the new arrivals. I'm also happy to see you're thinking ahead on the integration issue. Further complicating things is having two batches of chicks a month apart in age, since the older ones will be many times the size of the new ones when they arrive.

Juggling two age groups and introducing them all to adult chickens is going to have challenges. The two groups of chicks will need to be integrated with each other, then with the adults.

Here's how you can make it easiest on yourself and get the job done without spending months trying to juggle all the age groups. Brood all of the chicks side-by-side and side-by-side with the adult flock.

Here's the basic plan described in this article I wrote. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/r...rooder-and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors

You would just need to modify the plan a bit by providing separation for the new chicks from the month-old chicks for a few weeks until the small fry get their legs under them and learn who all the chickens are in their lives.

Brooding under my plan involves setting up an outdoor brooder either in your coop or run if it's predator and weather proof using heating pads as brooder heat sources.

Give the article a read and see if the idea appeals to you. Then I'm available if you have more questions.

 

[thudson]

Hello! I have a few recommendations. This is what I do. Chicks can be integrated into the flock at 6 weeks but I usually wait until 10 weeks. When they are ready and of age. I partition a small area off for the chicks in my existing coop. I put food and water in the partition with them. This way the older chickens can see them but have no chance to bully or hurt them. There will be some aggression showed on the outside of the partition. Leave them this way for about a week to 10 days. Then after the end of the last day I take the partition down at night as all the other chickens are roosting. Also I get up early the next morning as the chickens are coming off the roost and I shift positions of roost, nest boxes, waterers and feeders. This way they can all start as equals in a newly organized coop. Everybody is equal and the whole pecking order will reset. Just keep a watchful Eye and everyone will settle into their role. That's it, it sounds like alot but really it's simple as resetting your whole flock as one flock not two. Thanks and I hope this helps.

 

[aart]

Here's how I do:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[ashadfar17]

Thank you all for your suggestions!

 

[NNYchick]

How big does this partitioned area need to be? I have 9 Silkie chicks that will be 4 weeks. I would like to put out in a 2.5’x3.5’ dog crate. Will this work?