Integrating Chicks in Free Range Environment

[Summerfield]

Hi All. We have an adopted 4yo RIR (Annie) who is currently in a coop with our three chicks (5wk old Buff Orp, Barred Rock, Easter Egger). So far, we've kept them in a see-but-don't-touch setup - the chicks are in a separate pet crate that's in the coop. We're ready to start integrating the chicks with Annie but there's one problem I can't seem to solve on my own. Annie free ranges. We usually open the coop around 6am and let it be until she goes to roost around 7pm. She'll sometimes go in and out depending on her laying schedule. There are hawks and cats around that I'm sure would love to snack on 5 week old chicks. So letting them free-range seems problematic so young. I thought about closing the coop after Annie leaves in the morning, but don't want to mess with her laying schedule since she does sometimes go back in. Conversely - keeping her in the run for the next 10 weeks as the chicks grow seems like it will really bother her and could stress her out. Has anyone had similar issues or have advice? Thanks!!! Pic of coop attached.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

How long have they been in the look don't touch set up? I see there is a little bit of a run. I'd let them all out in the little run together, and as soon as the chicks are reliably going up into the coop to roost at night, I'd let them free range. Experience tells me it takes the chicks until 6-8 weeks of age to reliably go into the coop. I'd say Annie would be fine toughing it out for a little while, but if you're home and able to catch her, maybe you could let just her out of the coop for a little while, and then put her back in after she's stretched her legs a bit.

 

[Summerfield]

How long have they been in the look don't touch set up? I see there is a little bit of a run. I'd let them all out in the little run together, and as soon as the chicks are reliably going up into the coop to roost at night, I'd let them free range. Experience tells me it takes the chicks until 6-8 weeks of age to reliably go into the coop. I'd say Annie would be fine toughing it out for a little while, but if you're home and able to catch her, maybe you could let just her out of the coop for a little while, and then put her back in after she's stretched her legs a bit.

Thanks for the advice! They've been in the look don't touch setup for about 5 days.

 

[PolishAllTheWay]

Letting Annie out of the coop for an hour or so to stretch her legs and take a dust bath would be good, the chicks will be fairly vulnerable for a little while, so this will have to become a short term routine

 

[Summerfield]

Letting Annie out of the coop for an hour or so to stretch her legs and take a dust bath would be good, the chicks will be fairly vulnerable for a little while, so this will have to become a short term routine

Thank you

 

[humblehillsfarm]

So what did you wind up doing?

 

[Vickischics]

Depending on your RIR. I didn't have much luck with mine as I attempted integration at 8 week old. They had been with the RIR since 7 days old on a look but don't touch. RIR can be very territorial. Good Luck and keep a watchful eye and give those babies Many places to hide. Unfortunately, mine found and pushed through those hiding places.
Keep us posted, I want to read about your Success story.