How old do chicks need to be before introducing to flock?

[dmc79]

I'm new to raising chickens & my "flock" consists of 8 week old Dominique's. I also purchased 5 Rhode Island Reds & 6 Silver Laced Wyandottes all being around 4 weeks. They have pretty much feathered out & I let them free range with Dominique's during day but the Dominique's chase & peck at them. When will it be okay/safe to put them in chicken house with older pullets. Thanks!

 

[Cellochick]

I put my 10 week old chicks with chickens that were a year and up. They'll get pecked a little while they establish a pecking order but they should be ok. If they were my chicks I'd wait till 6 weeks old, but if they're similar sizes and aren't getting pecked to death they should be good

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I'll be introducing

I put my 10 week old chicks with chickens that were a year and up. They'll get pecked a little while they establish a pecking order but they should be ok. If they were my chicks I'd wait till 6 weeks old, but if they're similar sizes and aren't getting pecked to death they should be good

How did you introduce them? I have three chickens I'm introducing to three other chickens and am a little overwhelmed by all the different methods!

 

[sumi]

It is better to introduce them once are more or less the same size/fully grown, but depending on the flock you may be able to do it sooner. If possible keep the new chicks/chickens close to the existing flock, so they can see and interact with each other without being able to physically get to each other. This will give them some time to get used to each other before you let them mingle.

There is also a good article on introducing chickens to an existing flock here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock