Integrating chicks into flock at 4 weeks old.

[azygous]

Try mingling the chicks with the adults in the run while you stand by in case you need to intervene. They may surprise you and all get along just fine. The chicks will know from observing the big chickens just whom they need to avoid.

In my chicks' case, out of sixteen chickens, they only need to watch out for the junior rooster, and they really turn on the speed when he approaches. Once they have every adult's temperament nailed down, they should be just fine. Then you can go to the next step - teaching the little darlings to go into the coop at night. Hope you're ready for that.

 

[aart]

OK, integration of 5-week old chicks is going well. See but don't touch introductions for a few days, then the wire dog crate went into the run during the day. It goes back into the enclosed porch with heater at night. We are on day 2 in the run, with no particular drama from either the bigs or the littles. How long do I do this step for?

My next step would be to put the dog crate into the coop 24/7 and, if that seems to be going well, to add cardboard panic doors like in this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

I presume that the longer I take with each of these steps, the better. Is that right?

I'd put the crate in the coop 24/7 right off the bat...then open the tiny doors after a week or two. The younger the chicks are when you start the better, IMO.

 

[Blooie]

I so agree with @aart, as usual! Mine are started out in the wire brooder pen in the run from the start, and start mingling at 2 weeks (supervised). I gently herd them in and out of their little portal doors until I know they can get back into their brooder pen if they get spooked or need a warmup. By 3 weeks their portal doors are opened all day long and they spend almost all of their time either in the run, the coop, or even outdoors in the yard with the adults. The doors are only closed after they all head into the brooder for the night. At 4 weeks the brooder pen is taken down and removed completely. I am also sure, however, to provide a few hidey holes away from the brooder where they can fit but the Bigs can’t, just in case. It seems that after the first week of the Bigs seeing the Tinys in their pen they get used to them. The second week they see the Tinys in their run and out of the brooder, but I’m there to remind them that these are MY chicks. By the third week they don’t even notice them anymore and when they’re finally fully integrated at 4 weeks the Bigs have totally accepted them. It’s as if, properly introduced - and I stress properly introduced - they don’t see them as any threat to food, water, space and pecking order the way they see bigger, more feathered chicks.

I think it helps too that I hang the feeders and waterers side by side, with just the wire of the brooder pen between them. From Day 1 they learn to eat and drink together peacefully. Not once has an adult ever chased a chick away from the feeders or waterers in all the batches I’ve done this way. I was so glad when @aart started this thread so others could see how much less stressful integration can be.

 

[HeyHo]

Thank you all for the responses! I will move the dog crate into the coop today and leave it there! While the chicks get acclimated, I will get their hiding places in the run and yard ready for full integration.

 

[HeyHo]

OK, so far so good. Chicks are acclimating to the coop. When I can, I shut the big chickens in the yard and give the babies some time in the run by themselves. They are SO joyful to have so much space to be chickens! Then I open the door and let the brave ones go back and forth, with supervision. There has been a little chasing, a little pecking, some squawking and lots of complaining from the hens. Predictably, the biggest problems are the two at the bottom of the pecking order -- trying to protect their position.

In a couple days, I will add cardboard doors to the crate to give the chicks the ability to go in and out. There are already hiding places in the run (although the chicks don't seem to realize it, despite being shown repeatedly).

Is there something that I am looking for before taking the next step? Some awareness from the chicks, maybe? I'm trying to make sure they are "properly introduced" -- lots of space, multiple feeders, no threats to resources. My big girls are really sweet and pretty mellow, so I'm hoping that they teach the little girls to be the same way.

 

[blackdog043]

There has been a little chasing, a little pecking, some squawking and lots of complaining from the hens. Predictably, the biggest problems are the two at the bottom of the pecking order -- trying to protect their position.

It sounds like everything is going as expected, the chicks will find there get away spots.

 

[bruceha2000]

Predictably, the biggest problems are the two at the bottom of the pecking order -- trying to protect their position.

Yep. Penelope is one of the 2015s, she was always lowest of that group and the remaining ones from 2012. So of course she chased all the 2017s and then the 2018s. Stupid bird has no friends in the flock. She's not lowest any more since all the younger girls run when she comes at them but I can't see where that has gotten her anywhere.

The littles should learn which older girls to stay away from and which will accept them. Sounds like you are doing a fine job.

 

[HeyHo]

but I can't see where that has gotten her anywhere

Yes! So true. Chickens are nuts. My lowest is a doll -- but doesn't realize she is a chicken. She takes treats from the head hen and is surprised whenever she is reprimanded. Her poor feathers are in tatters from crossing all of the other girls. But she happily bops along and is always the first to sit in my lap to chat. Now she focuses on the babies like she is the Terminator. Wacky.

You've got so many interesting breeds -- which are your favorites??

 

[bruceha2000]

That is a little hard to answer, I've had quite a few breeds. Definitely on the "will buy again" list are EEs, Black Australorps, White Rocks, Barred Rocks.

Some that I wouldn't get again are those that go broody since we have no rooster. Of course an individual of any "generally not broody" breeds can go broody, my 7 Y/O BA does so at least twice a year.

Still looking for a white layer I would put on the "buy again" list. Not the Exchequer Leghorns. They are laying OK but can't seem to even hit the low end of UDSA Medium in size. The Anconas were top of the flock until Zia died and quite aggressive about it. Yue has been more middle of the flock since she lost her comrade in arms. I gather the Mediterranean breeds tend to be aggressive on the whole.

 

[HeyHo]

Definitely on the "will buy again" list are EEs, Black Australorps, White Rocks, Barred Rocks.

Good to know! I'm always looking for breed suggestions.