Chicks eventually moving in with chickens? Any advise?

[chicken_fun]

Just wondering about my chicks moving in with the older ones once they get bigger. So we have had a problem with moving the chicks (of course once they get big enough) into the coop before, and since i recently got chicks i was wondering if their are any suggestions for me out there. Just want to make sure no little chicky gets hurt.

Btw: our hens are not the most welcoming to new-comers, so..

 

[rosemarythyme]

How did you integrate chicks/chickens before? Any photos of your set up and/or a detailed description of size of coop, size of run, what's in the space, etc.

 

[chicken_fun]

How did you integrate chicks/chickens before? Any photos of your set up and/or a detailed description of size of coop, size of run, what's in the space, etc.

Before we just have put them into the coop with the other chickens and didn't really have anything to it. The coop is pretty giant , you could probably fit 15-20 grown adults in there. We have 17 grown chickens. There are a row of boxes in the left corner and some perches.

 

[aart]

t. The coop is pretty giant , you could probably fit 15-20 grown adults in there.

Actual dimensions and pics would be most helpful.


I like to integrate them young, but takes some set up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Still need to observe some.....
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/

 

[rosemarythyme]

Before we just have put them into the coop with the other chickens and didn't really have anything to it. The coop is pretty giant , you could probably fit 15-20 grown adults in there. We have 17 grown chickens. There are a row of boxes in the left corner and some perches.

Since aart just posted her integration page, I'd start with that for some ideas. Even though chicks don't set off adult chickens the way that adolescents/adults would, they're still intruders, so a slower process where they can first meet each other without access, then moving to limited access with protection, will yield better results.

 

[chicken_fun]

Since aart just posted her integration page, I'd start with that for some ideas. Even though chicks don't set off adult chickens the way that adolescents/adults would, they're still intruders, so a slower process where they can first meet each other without access, then moving to limited access with protection, will yield better results.

thank you for the advise!

 

[chicken_fun]

Actual dimensions and pics would be most helpful.


I like to integrate them young, but takes some set up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Still need to observe some.....
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/

Thank you for the help!