How to introduce chicks to year old flock

[Pollo Mama]

We will be adding 15 chicks to our existing year old flock of 4 hens and 1 rooster. What do we need to know... This will be a first for us.

 

[Den in Penn]

Once they are out of the brooder if you can, finish them out where there grow up seeing each other. Being able to interact through a wire partition works best. If you free range when the younger ones are around eight to ten weeks let them mingle during that time. After that all that's left is putting them in the same coop/roost.

 

[bHen]

Once they are out of the brooder if you can, finish them out where there grow up seeing each other.  Being able to interact through a wire partition works best.  If you free range when the younger ones are around eight to ten weeks let them mingle during that time.  After that all that's left is putting them in the same coop/roost. 

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Then once you do combine them I like to make sure mine have a 'hiding' place.

 

[nova022]

Numbers are in your favor. Adding 15 chicks will be easier than adding one or two. I would also grow them out side by side with the hens so they will get to know each other while the chicks attain some size. Expect some pecking as they adjust the pecking order.