Integrating 4 week olds with mature birds

[Mark Armstrong]

My 4 week olds have got to go, they're in the house but enough is enough, my question, the littles will have access to chick starter as well as layer feeds, how much of an issue is this, it's cold but i'll have a couple of lamps in the coop, I have a separate area for them but the will be with the big girls at times, Thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Put everyone on a non medicated grower with a separate bowl of oyster shells. No layer is necessary.

 

[AlleysChicks]

It is likely that your big birds will harm or even kill your chicks. Is there a way you can have them separate in the same coop?

 

[azygous]

When integrating chicks into a flock of adults, you can safely feed the entire flock chick feed with oyster shell for the layers to access so they still get the calcium they need.

I recommend you use a "panic room" for the chicks so they can have a safe refuge to return to if harassed. I describe the process of integration in my article below on brooding chicks outdoors. Using my method, chicks as young as two weeks can safely integrate with adults.

I wouldn't advise simply tossing them in cold with the adult chickens. You'll have a tragedy on your hands.

 

[Teila]

Hey Mark

You may find this previous discussion helpful: Topic of the Week - Integrating Chicks into an Adult Flock

Good luck!

 

[Mark Armstrong]

Picked up a bag of grower/finisher at TSC today along with some oyster shell, will this be ok for my year old hens, I will be building a smaller enclosure this weekend that will keep the pullets separated until they get used to each other, Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[azygous]

Sounds like it's all systems go! Good luck!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As long as the feed is non medicated it will be perfect.

 

[Mark Armstrong]

Cobbled together what I think will work to introduce the juveniles to the adults, a few 2x2’s, poultry wire and some 2x4 wire for the top with a hinged lid, nailed a 1x2 across the top so I could hang the waterer outside the coop, I put a small hinged door on the front so they can get in and out when the time comes

 

[azygous]

That is a perfect panic room! I love it! But may I make an additional recommendation?

One small entrance isn't going to maximize safety. When chicks are in a panic, they will try to run right through the screening, losing valuable time, giving an adult bully time to catch up to the chick and trap it against one of the walls without an entrance.

If that pen has no attached bottom, by placing it on bricks, you can elevate it so the entire perimeter is a panic entrance. Chicks will then be able to access the panic room at any point around its perimeter by simply scooting under the walls.