How do I integrate my 3 (2 month old) chicks with my 1 grown chicken?

[ThickenTheChicken]

I’m in a little predicament after one of my grown hens unexpectedly died. I’m now left with my one grown hen so she is all alone. I have 3 (2month old) chicks living in a different enclosure and am wondering how I can move them all into one enclosure. My worry is that my one adult hen will peck the little ones, and I lose more of my flock. My other worry is that my hen that died unexpectedly was sick with something that may harm the little ones if I put them into the bigger enclosure together. What is the best way of bringing them together into one flock? I know it’s bad to leave one hen all alone which is why I want to do it as soon as possible. The picture below is of their enclosures right now. Left is the little ones, right is the grown hen.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I always introduce young birds around this age, since they're about half the size of the adult birds.

I just plop them in, & let them do their thing, monitored of course.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here are some useful articles on integration:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

If you don't know why the hen died you should probably quarantine the adult for several weeks so that you don't risk losing the entire flock. It's not optimal for her to be alone, but it's better than losing more birds.

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/

If you don't know why the hen died you should probably quarantine the adult for several weeks so that you don't risk losing the entire flock. It's not optimal for her to be alone, but it's better than losing more birds.

Is there any way I can find out how the hen died? I posted a thread and people thought it was sour crop. From what i read it’s not transmittable. How long would I have to quarantine her?

 

[3KillerBs]

Is there any way I can find out how the hen died. I posted a thread and people thought it was sour crop. From what i read it’s not transmittable. How long would I have to quarantine her?

You could send the body to a lab for testing.

I'm not an expert on quarantine. I suggest searching the articles for recommendations.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think you have the littles to the right of that picture? Well you have already shared the germs and they are just fine. Probably was just a death, not some deadly disease. AND you have already done the see but no touch.

Just turn them out into the yard together. Might be a bit of bluster, but let that settle a bit, and throw out a treat. Do the first time, fairly close to dark. Let them out together, earlier the next day, when you can set with them, or check frequently. That night, the little might return to their own coop. No problem.

Third night, just close up the little coop, and leave the coop you want to use open, you might have to guide them in. Or you can let them go to bed in their coop, and after they are asleep - just move them to the floor of the coop you want them to use. Lock of the little coop or remove.

Most likely they will just follow the big girl in the next night but check to make sure.

You really are past the worst.

Mrs K