Integrating chicks into flock at 4 weeks old.

[chickfused]

I did read the article. Thank you.

 

[bruceha2000]

I've found that the bigs are mostly aggressive against the littles when there is food around.

Other than when there is snow on the ground I feed the girls outside. I toss the feed all around so everyone can get to some without having to fight for it. The littles learned to run from the aggressive bigs after Nuit "released them" at 6 weeks. They have a lot of plants (read: tall weeds, including milkweed) they can get under.

 

[Minky]

I would not use an upside down tote- that would get so hot. I find even light weight dishes sometimes are dangerous with littles, since running around can cause one to flip over and they're trapped under. It sounds strange but in my 4 years of having chickens I've found 3 or 4 under an empty water dish, trapped and soaking with sweat, close to being a goner.
I would make sure you have an area where the littles can be undisturbed... even if its 6-8 inches under a row of hanging nest boxes, (you can lower your nest boxes if they are higher now). Or you can zip tie a section of chicken wire to your run (a corner maybe) and cut a small hole 2.5 wide x 3 high or something in the bottom as a little chicken door ((you can chip away at the hole size as they grow). Just a place with food and water (and shade )where they can eat and escape from the bigs. You may literally only need it there for a few days. Once the bigs have all pecked the littles a few times in the head, they will feel better and will stop for the most part. All part of growing up, I feel. They will certainly do it to littles when they are older!! LOL Chickens are jerks. I have a large area and my largest rooster is HUGE. I have Marans, Welsummers, Wyandottes (large breeds) and a few bantams and some Easter Egger/Legbars (slight breeds) and I always introduce at 5-6 weeks through a pen next door, and then by 6-7 they all free run together. For the next few weeks the bigs eat first, roost where they want and don't tolerate the littles to roost beside them...By 10 weeks everyone is cohabiting and sharing roosts.

 

[bruceha2000]

I've found that with open hardware cloth the chicks aren't real bright about remembering where the door is. If one has overhanging nest boxes with height for hens under (mine are 18" off the floor), I think you could create a drop down barrier that leaves maybe 6" under it all the way around. Chicks can get in, hens can not.

 

[chickfused]

It was nice today, so the littles were outside. I was treating the sick one and had the top of the pen open and a healthy one flew out. 2 bigs came over and immediately stared at her with intent, then all 3 of them ate grass together for a few, and then the bigs went away and left her on her own. No pecking or hassling at all.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I could maybe flip a storage tote upside down and put a chick sized door hole in it in the coop?

If you're going to try to do anything like this, I would not cut a opening and instead elevate the tote on some bricks, which will create gaps big enough for chicks up to maybe 6-7 weeks old. The tote should be weighed down on top as well as they're pretty lightweight, to ensure it doesn't get knocked or flipped over on top of a chicken.

But overall it seems like the two groups are getting along ok, so I'd skip the tote entirely and just make sure there's some clutter in the general area (any random yard junk will do, as long as it's chicken safe) and an extra feeder or two available.

 

[chickfused]

Well, I just tried another little for a supervised visit (a bigger one this time) and one of the bigs jumped on her and pecked her on the head. Needless to say, the visit was quickly terminated, though the wee one wasn't hurt.

 

[Minky]

I've found that with open hardware cloth the chicks aren't real bright about remembering where the door is. If one has overhanging nest boxes with height for hens under (mine are 18" off the floor), I think you could create a drop down barrier that leaves maybe 6" under it all the way around. Chicks can get in, hens can not.

yes, and I always put silver duct tape to "trim the door" so they can find their way back.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well, I just tried another little for a supervised visit (a bigger one this time) and one of the bigs jumped on her and pecked her on the head. Needless to say, the visit was quickly terminated, though the wee one wasn't hurt.

Why bring them out one at a time? There's safety in numbers.

Also if they little one wasn't hurt I wouldn't have interfered. They WILL be pecked at by the older birds, and as long as no damage is done I consider it acceptable. IMO the key is to make sure they have safe spaces to escape to, and that they can't be cornered in those spots so they can dash to another if needed.

 

[chickfused]

Because I didn't really have a safe place for the littles to run outside, and there's only 1 me and 4 of them I might try doing an "in the coop" with the doors shut visit once I get them a couple of places to run to safety in there like aart talked about in his post. That's why I was thinking a couple of totes would work, because they won't be visiting without me, period. They'll be outside or sleeping and those activities both take place in "see but don't touch" areas.

I expected some pecking, but not the jumping on and pecking. Poor wee thing with a bird 4 times her size standing on her. Is this normal?