Integrating chicks with five 1.5 yr. old hens

[whisperingpines]

Need some good advice please...

I am trying to determine how and when I should go about introducing the 9 week old chicks I have been raising (they were bought chicks).

I assume not until they are on the same feed and I am not sure when that would be and when I should do this. Anyone who could help it would be greatly appreciated. I also have read/heard that I should introduce new chicks/hens when it is night time. This didn't work so well when I introduced hens of the same age the last time.

I have 4 - 4week chicks that will be coming up next and I need to figure out what to do.

Newbie at chicken keeping --- BUT LOVING every minute of it!

Thanks a million to anyone who can help!
TY

 

[nccountrygirl]

The rule is never put chicks in with the big girls till they are the same size. The big girls will hurt them and sometimes kill them. Also they can't eat layer pellets yet and your big girls will eat all of the chick food and starve them.

 

[GallowayFarms]

ya. I think you start layers on laying ration at 16 weeks or something around there.

So when you think the chicks match them in size you can mix them in with the others.

 

[whisperingpines]

Thank you for all the input on my chicken intergrating questions. Guess we will have to make some adjustments to our hen house because were they are now, the space is getting a bit tight! Thank you again -- keep cool! 96 here today.

TY