Chicks Joining Flock Inside Coop

[RedBreasted]

So tonight I just let four of my 6 weeks old (this week is their 7th week) chicks inside the coop, locked up for the night (I heard doing that makes it easier for the chicks to get used to the coop) with my two 3 years old hens and one 4 years old hen. I’m still pretty concerned that will the hens hurt my chicks? The chicks now seemed to huddling along the door (as you can see in the pictures) and I did provided a feeder and a waterer for them (hopefully the adults won’t steal it!). The weather and temperatures should be pretty good so it’s not really a concern. Also if you can tell in the pictures, are all of them pullers? I do not want any roosters for as I don’t want neighbors complaining. I had to butchered my last rooster due to a complaint. Anyways, does it looks good? I don’t have a run and the coop is I’d say a little smaller then I want for 7 chickens but I built this in 2015 and at the time I had 3 hens. I may need to upgrade in the future also buy a new run. Thanks for helping!!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I wouldn’t introduce the new chicks to the Older hens until they are fully feathered and Adult size, maybe waiting until they lay eggS.

So tonight I just let four of my 6 weeks old (this week is their 7th week) chicks inside the coop, locked up for the night (I heard doing that makes it easier for the chicks to get used to the coop) with my two 3 years old hens and one 4 years old hen. I’m still pretty concerned that will the hens hurt my chicks? The chicks now seemed to huddling along the door (as you can see in the pictures) and I did provided a feeder and a waterer for them (hopefully the adults won’t steal it!). The weather and temperatures should be pretty good so it’s not really a concern. Also if you can tell in the pictures, are all of them pullers? I do not want any roosters for as I don’t want neighbors complaining. I had to butchered my last rooster due to a complaint. Anyways, does it looks good? I don’t have a run and the coop is I’d say a little smaller then I want for 7 chickens but I built this in 2015 and at the time I had 3 hens. I may need to upgrade in the future also buy a new run. Thanks for helping!!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I totally meant I would wait not wouldn’t

 

[RedBreasted]

I wouldn’t introduce the new chicks to the Older hens until they are fully feathered and Adult size, maybe waiting until they lay eggS.

Oh looks like I’ve made a mistake. Well it’s around 10 PM here so I’ll just leave them locked up in the coop for now. Also here’s the pictures I forgot to add! I’m also gonna wake up early tomorrow to release the door on them.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Oh looks like I’ve made a mistake. Well it’s around 10 PM here so I’ll just leave them locked up in the coop for now. Also here’s the pictures I forgot to add! I’m also gonna wake up early tomorrow to release the door on them.

Hopefully they are fine for the night but in the morning get them seperated! My hens killed a young pullet once when I locked it in!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Oh looks like I’ve made a mistake. Well it’s around 10 PM here so I’ll just leave them locked up in the coop for now. Also here’s the pictures I forgot to add! I’m also gonna wake up early tomorrow to release the door on them.

And everyone makes mistakes! Hopefully your hens will just ignore the new chicks since it’s dark

 

[Theladiesandagentleman]

Do you want to add some sort of bedding in there for them? I can't see the rest of your coop but there should be shavings or sand in there for them.

 

[RedBreasted]

And everyone makes mistakes! Hopefully your hens will just ignore the new chicks since it’s dark

I do have a heat lamp but I didn’t put it in the coop because I have no outlet to plug the lamp in so the coop is just dark. The older hens do seem to be more scared of the chicks then the chicks scared of the hens. Like there were 2 chicks just going for the food ignoring the older hens. I may not be able to sleep tonight because I’m still concerned. Should I just quickly go outside to my backyard now and get the chicks out? There is a window in the top right of my coop and I did opened it up not only for fresh air but if there’s any trouble, they can just fly out? Well I’m gonna calm my anxiety.

 

[RedBreasted]

Do you want to add some sort of bedding in there for them? I can't see the rest of your coop but there should be shavings or sand in there for them.

I don’t have bedding BUT I do have these small boxes that I fold down. The right side isn’t covered but the left side of the coop does. I’ll try to take a new picture of the coop tomorrow morning.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I do have a heat lamp but I didn’t put it in the coop because I have no outlet to plug the lamp in so the coop is just dark. The older hens do seem to be more scared of the chicks then the chicks scared of the hens. Like there were 2 chicks just going for the food ignoring the older hens. I may not be able to sleep tonight because I’m still concerned. Should I just quickly go outside to my backyard now and get the chicks out? There is a window in the top right of my coop and I did opened it up not only for fresh air but if there’s any trouble, they can just fly out? Well I’m gonna calm my anxiety.

You can quietly go check on them but don’t disturb them. Chickens are usually scared of the dark so the hens probably won’t attack now. Set an Alarm for right before sunrise so you can get them out.

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