Chicks and Adult Chickens

[Ettore.fin]

My flock have died and I've only got one chicken left, would adding chicks to the hen house be relatively painless or will they get pecked half to death? If I can add them what age is best?

 

[boskelli1571]

My flock have died and I've only got one chicken left, would adding chicks to the hen house be relatively painless or will they get pecked half to death? If I can add them what age is best?

Sorry to hear of your loss. If you are going to add chicks they should be at least 1/2 -2/3 the size of your adult hen, that way they stand a chance of fighting back if necessary

 

[featheredplanets]

Why not look at rehoming some adult hens, like ex battery hens?

If you want chicks then you’ll need to keep them separate until they’re at least 6 weeks old (you’ll need to keep them under heat for a few weeks anyway), then you can integrate them with your hen. They’ll stand more of a chance if there are 3+ chicks.

 

[DobieLover]

My flock have died and I've only got one chicken left, would adding chicks to the hen house be relatively painless or will they get pecked half to death? If I can add them what age is best?

Setting up your brooder directly in the coop with your remaining chicken would be best.
Don't use chicken wire for the walls as a chick could get it's head through and might get injured.
You also would not want to use a heat lamp but a MHP or brooder plate with a towel over it instead.
Fashion 2 small doors through the brooder that only the chicks can fit through. I used 3x5 inches in mine.
When the chicks are 4-5 weeks old open the little doors after removing the adult chicken from the coop to allow the chicks about an hour to explore the coop. Then let the adult back in and monitor

 

[featheredplanets]

Setting up your brooder directly in the coop with your remaining chicken would be best.
Don't use chicken wire for the walls as a chick could get it's head through and might get injured.
You also would not want to use a heat lamp but a MHP or brooder plate with a towel over it instead.
Fashion 2 small doors through the brooder that only the chicks can fit through. I used 3x5 inches in mine.
When the chicks are 4-5 weeks old open the little doors after removing the adult chicken from the coop to allow the chicks about an hour to explore the coop. Then let the adult back in and monitor
View attachment 2023849View attachment 2023850View attachment 2023851

Second this idea. But if your coop isn’t big enough then you won’t be able to do it properly.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Sorry to hear of your loss. If you are going to add chicks they should be at least 1/2 -2/3 the size of your adult hen, that way they stand a chance of fighting back if necessary

They will be fine so long as they are the proper size. I would lean more towards the 2/3 body weight as stated for larger breed or notoriously aggressive birds.
I just introduced 6 4mo old Brahmas to the coop with a rooster and 4 adult hens. They have been cooped up together for 3 days now and will be released tomorrow. There was of course some squabbling for the first day, but all is well and peaceful today.
Note: my adolescent chicks are kept in an outdoor enclosure until 4mos in clear view of the free range flock of adults but safely behind welded wire fencing to ease their introduction when the time comes.