Integrating 16 chicks with 9 sassy hens

[Dogsothoth]

When am I safe to integrate? They’re about 1 month. I’m thinking for now, I’ll put the brooder in the coop... but when should I open it up? I know they’re not ready yet at all.

My hens are sassy. I just integrated 3 silkies successfully, at least.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Give it 1-2 weeks after the brooder gets moved to the coop. I integrate very early (goal is by 4 weeks) but I brood outside, so by the time the chicks are ready to come out for the first time, they've already been doing see but don't touch for a couple of weeks.

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Still follow these tips on....
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.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[jreardon1918]

We too integrate early. Here are our 4 week old chicks. They have been in the brooder in the run since they were a few days old. We will open small chick doors to allow the chicks to come and go as they wish. There will be three doors. That happens this weekend.

 

[GingerRose]

Im glad I found this.
I need to integrate my 4 month old silkie chicks with my also sassy older flock of 1 roo and 4 hens in one coop.
The other coop has 1 roo and 3 hens.
I have black chicks and buff chicks to divide between the 2 coops.
This is helpful.