Integrating chicks into the main flock.

[hallerlake]

I currently have five Appenzeller Spitzhaubens (ten weeks old). Three are cockerels. I'm hatching another batch in hopes of getting some more pullets. I'm getting ahead of myself, but I'm thinking about integrating the next batch of Spitz hatchlings into the big coop. I'm wondering if I do it when I get rid of my extra cockerels, will that upset the pecking order enough that the younger birds won't be picked on as much, or will it make them more likely to be picked on?

 

[christineavatar]

I think it would be good to integrate them but slowly. When I mixed my younger chicks in the my full grown hens I put the young ones in a dog crate with a large mesh wire over the face to keep out the big hens but large enough for the chicks to get through. They used it for a week or better until they felt secure enough (well known enough) to sleep out in the larger coop.