How early can i integrate my chicks with the big flock?

[Mark Armstrong]

This is actually a question concerning integrating a few 7-8 month old hens with my older flock of hens, this will bring my total flock to 19 hens and 1 roo, my coop is 8x8 with two 8 foot long roost bars and 4 nest boxes, run space is 24x8, with an additional 6x8 pen that has a connecting tunnel, would this be considered enough space for them without any overcrowding issues? I have a mixed flock including RIR's, Sex links, Ameraucanas. the younger hens are isa browns and the roo is a copper marans, Thanks for your input!

 

[aart]

This is actually a question concerning integrating a few 7-8 month old hens with my older flock of hens, this will bring my total flock to 19 hens and 1 roo, my coop is 8x8 with two 8 foot long roost bars and 4 nest boxes, run space is 24x8, with an additional 6x8 pen that has a connecting tunnel, would this be considered enough space for them without any overcrowding issues? I have a mixed flock including RIR's, Sex links, Ameraucanas. the younger hens are isa browns and the roo is a copper marans, Thanks for your input!

Tight space, especially for an integration.
Would be best if you started a new thread here about your integration,
with the details above and some pics of your set up.

 

[Jemma Rider]

My chicks are out in the run for the first time today.
I've been bringing them outside every day but today is the first day they have been together with the big chickens.
They are in a dog crate but I've let then out with specific hens twice today. The first hen i let them out with was my hen at the top of the pecking order, Daisy, and the first time everything went good they smacked on some small pieces of bread together and then Daisy left.
Then i let then out later with Daisy and my Easter Egger, Freya. Freya pecked my d'uccle on the head when she tried to steal a piece of bread but that was that and Freya paid no attention to the chicks from then on.
Then Darla, the polish chick, ran up to steal Daisy's bread, she ran up and poofed up her neck feathers and started jumping at Daisy. Daisy pecked her and Darla ran away, then did it again.
Then my dark cornish chick ran at Daisy because she likes to copy Darla.
Nobody was getting hurt, it was a peaceful fight if such a thing is possible. I locked the chicks back up and everybody is fine.
It was just the oddest thing, watching a very small chick try to take on the most dominant hen.
I am going to give them more time in the dog crate before i let them get near the big chickens again, so they can see but not hurt each other. I'm going to move the dog cage into the coop every night as well and eventually make them a little pen they can escape into to hide from the big ones.
So far i think everything is going okay the chicks are loving being outside and flying around, Ginger took her first dust bath which was an adorable sight.

 

[lomine]

 

[trufadog]

My entire flock gets Purina Flock Raiser; that way I don't have to worry about who is eating what. Makes things a lot less complicated. Oyster shell is out for those that are laying.

So the babies won't eat the oyster shell because their bodies' know they don't need it?

 

[aart]

So the babies won't eat the oyster shell because their bodies' know they don't need it?

They might try it but won't eat much of it.

 

[Mk_lanch]

hi I wondered if anyone can help me???
I had appenzeller hatching eggs but only 1 hatched. its not even a day old. can I buy more hatching eggs and them put them in with this one. (this one will be 3 weeks when I add the new chicks).
I have searched everywhere within a 1 hour drive and I cant find anyone with chicks under 6 weeks, so hatching more will be my only option.
thank you