How/when to merge new chicks with flock.

[dodgewoman]

I have 7 hens that are a year old and 2 roosters. I currently have 9 chicks that are about 6-8 weeks old. I have started putting the chicks out during the day next to the hens current run. When can I start integrating them full time? How do I go about doing this? Throw them in at night and hope for the best?

 

[Judy]

It is safest to house them where they can see and hear each other until the chicks are around the same size as the older ones. I'll give you a link to some methods. The first part is about quarantine, which doesn't apply to you, so just scroll on down.

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

 

[BantamFan4Life]

In a few weeks it would be best to put them in at night. This way it's the easiest to merge them with the older birds. Always remember that the first few days the chicks will be working out the pecking order so they will most likely get picked on.

 

[dodgewoman]

Thanks for the link! I think we could rig up a temp run and coop, just to get my husband to get time to do so!