Integrating chicks into flock

[Flockincrazy]

Hi! I need advice on integrating 12 chicks into my flock of 8 pullets. The chicks are 4 weeks old and fully feathered and off of heat in the garage. The pullets are 12 weeks old. I have the chicks in a grow out pen that I plan to move to either the coop or the run. Which is the better option? Both are predator proofed and have sand floor. The coop has ventilation and cool during the day but I can't easily see the chicks without going in the coop; whereas the run is fully visible and has lighting at night too for me to monitor. I just worry if I put them in the run in the brooder box then when its time to fully integrate they won't want to go into the coop. Any advice welcome!

Put them in the coop in the brooder box or get hardware cloth make them a section in the coop for around a week and then let them mingle under supervision

 

[railroadwifey]

Sounds, and looks, reasonable.
Run looks to be weather and predator proof, and the brooder has shelter too.
They may choose to go into the coop when the time is right.
What does the inside of coop look like?
I love that round top door!

I brood in the coop and integrate early:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

But still follow the 'rules' of......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thanks for the compliment on the coop! Here is the inside prior to sand and poop. We still have to mount the nesting boxes but are waiting closer to laying age.

 

[IamRainey]

I introduced mine by placing them a good sized metal kennel fitted with some sticks for roosts in the run when the chicks were feathered out. I put their food and water in with them and left them in there for a couple weeks. During that time if I was distributing treats, like shredded cabbage or sunflower seeds, I put the flock's just outside their kennel and theirs in the kennel nearby. They ate in close proximity with no issue of safety. The chicks were also safe in there at night because my run is completely predator proof.

After a couple weeks I opened the door to the kennel. They still had food and water in there but they were free to venture out. They slept there at night. By choice.

At some point, I took the kennel out of the run entirely. The chicks were fully and peacefully integrated and well on their way to maturity. I can't remember if they followed the hens up to the coop at night at first or not. In any case, when they did decide to go up they slept in a pile in a corner on the floor for a good while before they found spots on the roosts.

All in their time. It was simple and peaceful.

 

[Flockincrazy]

Thanks for the compliment on the coop! Here is the inside prior to sand and poop. We still have to mount the nesting boxes but are waiting closer to laying age.

Your coop is beautiful how much easier is the linoleum floor