How long before chicks are able to be integrated into flock?

[SurferchickinSB]

So I just moved my 5 week old chicks outside into their own coop that my older hens can't get to and i was wondering how long i should wait until I tried to integrate them fully.

Geez, I would probably wait a good long while then!

 

[RoosterML]

I have 8 year and a half hens with rooster, and initially they were freaking out, especially rooster, trying to get in. After 10 mins they kinda lost interest and left lol They are all free range. I have 5 five week olds.

I just learned the hard way recently after I had to put a 6 week old chick down after being attacked by what I believe was the rooster but could have also been the girls. Some have success introducing smaller chicks. Personally from now on I will wait until they are at least of equal size or very close.

 

[josh59]

I just learned the hard way recently after I had to put a 6 week old chick down after being attacked by what I believe was the rooster but could have also been the girls. Some have success introducing smaller chicks. Personally from now on I will wait until they are at least of equal size or very close.

I'm thinking about doing the same thing after witnessing how my rooster was reacting. He was dead set in getting in there for a while and didn't seem pleased.

 

[josh59]

What breeds do you have? What are the dimensions of the older flocks coop & run?

2x

The hens are either Rhode Island Reds, Cinnamon queens, or calico princesses. The rooster I have no idea lol they have one of the smaller all weather coops, max occupancy is 15 chickens. Making a 12 by 16 coop as we speak. They don't have a run as i free range them.

 

[aart]

The cockbirds initial reaction is normal, he's alarmed at new animals in his space.
Will take time for them to get used to each other.
Might be hard for the 5 chicks to grow to 'equal size' in that tiny coop.

While you build your new 12x16, plan for a place to brood chicks in the coop.
Best thing I ever did in raising replacement layers was to brood in coop and integrate by 4-6 weeks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Here some tips and links on integration that might help:
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.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock