Integrating chicks into flock at 4 weeks old.

[HeyHo]

So today is the first full day of panic door integration and the little chicks do not seem at all inclined to leave their safe space. Once in a while, one will wander (or be startled) out of the tiny door but then darts right back in. Very cute.

The top 3 hens pretty much ignore the chicks, no matter where they are or what they are doing. The lowest 2 are still awful bullies. But the chicks are definitely learning to avoid them whenever possible!

 

[bruceha2000]

I'm considering getting some Austra Whites from Meyer in the next order. Cross between Black Australorp and White Leghorn. They lay white or tinted eggs and don't have the big comb of the Leghorn so are cold hardy.

 

[HeyHo]

I'm considering getting some Austra Whites from Meyer in the next order. Cross between Black Australorp and White Leghorn. They lay white or tinted eggs and don't have the big comb of the Leghorn so are cold hardy

Those sound great -- I'll have to check them out!

 

[Montanomom3]

Here’s my question. I have only one adult hen in our coop and five 6 week old chicks. We have been doing this for 3 days and nights. Should i let one baby in with our hen and see how it goes? I’m so new and this is a super long thread. The few pages i have read i haven’t read anything about having only 1 hen to integrate little ones in with. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[aart]

I’m so new and this is a super long thread.

Yeah thread has gone down the typical long chatter road rendering it difficult to use as instructional info....but...
Did you read the article that this thread was started for?

For easier composition/editing/linking I wrote and illustrated with pics how I integrate chicks in an 'article' found here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old
Post any questions here in this thread as I don't get notifications of comments made on articles.

The main idea is to put the chicks near the flock at about a week or so old, then after a couple-few weeks using tiny 'doors'(openings) allowing them to mingle with access to a 'safe' place.
Give it a read, there are a couple other setups there too.

 

[Montanomom3]

Yeah thread has gone down the typical long chatter road rendering it difficult to use as instructional info....but...
Did you read the article that this thread was started for?
The main idea is to put the chicks near the flock at about a week or so old, then after a couple-few weeks using tiny 'doors'(openings) allowing them to mingle with access to a 'safe' place.
Give it a read, there are a couple other setups there too.

I did not. I hadn’t seen that article. But we def didn’t have the option of that young. It was too cold here. i will read

 

[bruceha2000]

I would guess it will be easier with just the one hen. She'll be the top of the order for some time until the chicks mature.

 

[aart]

I would guess it will be easier with just the one hen. She'll be the top of the order for some time until the chicks mature.

She'll either be glad of the company...or driven mad by all the 'intruders'!
...or a bit of both.

 

[HeyHo]

Here’s my question. I have only one adult hen in our coop and five 6 week old chicks. We have been doing this for 3 days and nights. Should i let one baby in with our hen and see how it goes? I’m so new and this is a super long thread. The few pages i have read i haven’t read anything about having only 1 hen to integrate little ones in with. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Any updates on your hen and chicks??

After several weeks, my girls are all getting along well. Not perfect, but peaceful. One thing that has made a big difference is the wooden step ladder I picked up at the transfer station. The littles use it to escape to safety and watch the big girls from afar. They didn't seem to like going into hiding places (like wooden crates, etc.) but like going up high.

 

[Stephine]

Ok, I just reread the article, getting ready for integration... Chicks are now 8 weeks old (no electricity at the coop and nights too cold to start earlier than I did) and have been in their own little pens - one in the coop, one in the run - for two weeks. I am getting tired of carrying them in and out, which also involves maneuvering around a wary rooster who will flog me if I make a hen or a chick squeak... (I hope this at least means he has adopted the chicks as his and will watch out for them a bit!?) At night it’s an extra drive to the farm to put them back - in normal times the ladies who are out there to feed the horses can just close the pop door....
SO.... I am planning on taking the door of the wire kennel off and attaching it a bit higher to leave a space open at the bottom. I will also take out the side panel and re-attach it leaving an opening along the bottom edge. I am just not sure how high I can make that opening and still keep the big ones out. Does anyone have a good guideline for that?
And will integration at 8 weeks still be relatively easier? One of the three has just started to make more chickeny sounds, the other two are definitely still baby chirping - will that help?