How to I transition Chicks into the coop with my hens

[rsenerchia]

I have 8 chicks that we received in march, so they are definately ready to go into the coop, but I have 3 really snotty (spoiled) hens, im really nervous to put them in together, but the area that there in now is just getting too small for the chicks......just wondering if anyone can help me with this situation, Ive been looking online and they all say something different. So I was looking for someone with this experience.........Thanks so much...Robyn

 

[dianehodges]

I got 6 chicks in March also They have been in the coop since they were 4 weeks old I had them in another pen but everybody could see everybody, even peck at each other I did this for about a week and a half My 3 hens and rooster are going on two years old When I let everyone mingle the older birds chased and pecked at the younger ones The pullets learned fast there is safety in numbers and by running very fast they stayed away from the others Right now its just one big happy flock I did put out extra food and water so they would have plenty of access Good luck

1 veteran 1 dog 1 rooster 3 hens 6 pullets

 

[hazeleyes]

I usally don't put them together unless they are closer to the same size.
The exception being my free rangers,the smaller ones have plenty of room to stay away from the larger ones.

If the pen is plenty big enough and the smaller ones have a way to get away and hide from the larger girls it should be ok.

But be warned I have had a younger one pecked to death it got trapped between a extra cage I had in the pen and the dividing fence and the chickens in that cage pecked her to death.It was my fault and hard lesson to learn.

 

[Elleoz]

When I add more chicks to my flock they will be @ 6-8 months apart. Will that be too big of an age difference? I have 4 five week old pullets right now. I would like a flock of around 8 at some point, but don't want them all the same age so that they won't all stop laying @ the same time. My pen/coop is 8 sq feet.

 

[4 the Birds]

When your chicks are ready for the coop, provide them with a segregated area for a few weeks. This way they can meet and greet the older chickens. Integration into the flock will be smooth this way. Here are out 15 three week old pullets just moved out to the coop. They have a heat lamp and they are able to view the big girls in the run. All of these will have access to an acre goat pen to free range.