Getting older hens to accept new additions

[Bearcountryhome]

Hello! We have 8 hens, 1 rooster that are a year old, and we got 6 more chicks at the beginning of May (lived in the basement). We’re trying to get them integrated into the flock now that they’re fully feathered, so they’ve been living in a crate in the run for about a week, and we just let them out two days ago. The first night I put them back in the crate but the next I left it open, they still stayed in there but I realized it’s because the older girls are chasing them as soon as they try to come out. Today the older ones went out to forage so the chicks came out and went up into the coop and just made themselves at home, but as soon as the others came home to the run, they had to make a run for their crate and got pecked and chased in the process. I don’t want to take away the crate if it’s the only way they can stay safe and eat and drink, but I’m also worried it’s prolonging the integration process. Any advice? Am I going about this the right way? I’ve never done this before!

 

[WingItRanch]

You may have to keep them separated but seeing each other for a big longer. The clue that they're ready for integration is when the older ones completely ignore the littles.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This is my article on Integrating:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-a-pictorial-guide.79343/


And here is another excellent article on integrating flocks:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-chickens-step-by-step.72815/

Some suggestions that might help. Good luck!