Hey all! So this is my first time integrating new chicks with hens. I have two young adult hens (still less than a year) and 3 chicks - on chick is about 10 weeks and the other two are about 7 or 8 weeks. After reading a lot of good advice on here I had lattice separating the run so the chicks could run into the hens side but duck back into their own side as needed. Things seemed to go well so we took the lattice down the beginning of this week so they all share a run (still different coops). Amd switched them over to flockraiser food. The hens dont seem overly aggressive with them - a little chasing and small peck here and there. But the chicks are often huddled in a corner together not really moving around much. Wondering if this is just part of the process and the chicks will get used to it or if I should separate them again. I have 3 different food and water stations so there is plenty to go around and the run is large (10 x 40 foot). Thanks for any advice in advance!
Integrating baby chicks and hens
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We have had issues with hawks so I only let them out to range when I'm there watching. Good idea - I think I'll try to do that a little every day. When we did let them out to range around the chicks stayed together but ran around and were interested in things. And I did take just the big hens out earlier and the chicks seemed to do better with that. So maybe I'll just try to do both of those things more. Thanks!
It is normal for the chicks to stay together, they will start to hang out more with the older birds after they start laying. The busier they are the better as if the hens are giving the chicks the evil eye, especially when they are bored in the coop all day, the distraction helps with that.
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Got it. Okay. Will try to give them more distraction. Thank you!
Chasing and pecking is normal. Run size is great, but is it a big empty rectangle or is there stuff in there like clutter to serve as a distraction and to break line of sight?
It's normal as mine during this since I integrated mine with the big girls, in the past 3 weeks. Eventually one or two will break off and hang with the older ones but still mingle with the age group too.
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Great. Thanks!
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There is stuff like clutter so to speak - some logs and things to roost on. I think I might add some more though to help break up that line of sight like you said.
Never hurts to add more, as long as they still have plenty of open space (which you should have w/ 400 sq ft). https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
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