Integrating 5 chicks to 1 Hen.... I'm a nervous wreck.

[Dogs Cows Chicken]

The chicks ( Mortician, Marion, Kitty, Peggy, and Edith) have been living in the set up, separate from Lucy, since the 18th. They have all been exposed to each other through a wire crate for about two weeks beyond that.

I've got multiple feeders and waterers set up, cleared the areas that could have been traps where someone could get cornered and created hidey-holes for everyone ( except for Lucy, because of her size) to escape to.

Should I move chicks to Lucy or Lucy to chicks?

I'm a nervous wreck that something bad will happen and I won't know what to do to stop it.

Kati

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[WVduckchick]

All flocks are unique, so integrating can be stressful. Most times you just have to go for it, while watching from a distance to see how they react. Giving the little ones a “safe space”, small enough for them to hide in, or obstacles to run around, usually an aggressive older bird won’t chase them. Older ones will almost always gently peck younger ones to put them in their place, but won’t usually hurt them.

Trying to get a single hen to adopt youngsters doesn’t normally work, unless she is broody and the chicks are very young. You could try putting her in with them first and see how she reacts, but if it were me, I’d just put the little chicks in with the whole group and see how they do! Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

How big is Lucy's space vs. how big is the chick space? I'd opt for whichever space is most spacious or best set up for it. If they're about the same I think it should work either way...

I'd pick a day/time when you're available to supervise and just let them loose. Expect Lucy to maybe chase or peck at them, but try not to intervene unless you see her bullying them nonstop or pecking hard enough to injure. Since it's just 1 hen I doubt she'd be able to catch any of the little ones anyhow.

 

[Perris]

As other have said, you just have to stand back and let them get on with the introductions. It sounds like you have prepared well. Lucy will probably be glad of some company, as soon as the little ones all respect her place as the head hen at the top of the new hierarchy.

 

[Dogs Cows Chicken]

All flocks are unique, so integrating can be stressful. Most times you just have to go for it, while watching from a distance to see how they react. Giving the little ones a “safe space”, small enough for them to hide in, or obstacles to run around, usually an aggressive older bird won’t chase them. Older ones will almost always gently peck younger ones to put them in their place, but won’t usually hurt them.

Trying to get a single hen to adopt youngsters doesn’t normally work, unless she is broody and the chicks are very young. You could try putting her in with them first and see how she reacts, but if it were me, I’d just put the little chicks in with the whole group and see how they do! Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! I'm not really expecting Lucy to "adopt" the youngsters as she's a Leghorn. I understand they aren't very "mothery." She's been without a campanion since April, so I'm hoping she'll have a mutual friend attraction. She's been lonely.

I have set the runs up with escaper routes for the pullets and they are familiar with them.

 

[Dogs Cows Chicken]

How big is Lucy's space vs. how big is the chick space? I'd opt for whichever space is most spacious or best set up for it. If they're about the same I think it should work either way...

I'd pick a day/time when you're available to supervise and just let them loose. Expect Lucy to maybe chase or peck at them, but try not to intervene unless you see her bullying them nonstop or pecking hard enough to injure. Since it's just 1 hen I doubt she'd be able to catch any of the little ones anyhow.

Their space is pretty equally sized. My intention is to leave the door open between the runs so they can, for now ' use both spaces until they are settled as a flock.

I'll attach a still frame caught by coopcam so you can see the setup from the chicks' perspective.

thanks for taking time to answer my post! I may try the just do it approach!

 

[Dogs Cows Chicken]

As other have said, you just have to stand back and let them get on with the introductions. It sounds like you have prepared well. Lucy will probably be glad of some company, as soon as the little ones all respect her place as the head hen at the top of the new hierarchy.

I sure hope so! I've been Lucy's safari partner all these months, and I know I have been less than satisfying... getting the calls wrong, tidbitting incorrectly, using a garden tool to scratch along side her... I could go on about my shortcomings as a chicken.

If I'm honest, I have to admit that the time that it's just been the two of us, I've really enjoyed the private time and getting to really know her like I never would have otherwise. It's going to be bittersweet to see Lucy with a flock.