Integrating chicks with my existing flock (need advice and probably some hardware)

[AnneRaduns]

I have 6 week old chicks currently living outside in an Eglu Go Up. There are 6 of them. The chicks have their own small coop and a small run. I have 5 hens from a previous, established flock. The older hens free-range the whole day. The older hens can see the chicks but can't get to them. I would like to move the chicks into the big coop in the next 4 to 6 weeks, so really by the time the chicks are 12 weeks old. I think that will give the chicks enough size to fend off any significant bullying. And they will out number the hens slightly too. My run is 8ft by 12 feet. I am not very handy, so I was thinking about adding an outdoor chicken playpen (from amazon) inside the run for the chicks. And I was thinking about getting a small dog crate for inside the coop to keep the chicks safe at night, until they have integrated. I am attaching the links so you all can see what I am looking at on amazon.
For inside the run: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083B718VT/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A1LJO3FZJ9NMOU&psc=1
For inside the coop: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HCLDFC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

How do I keep the chicks "cooped up" while still allowing the hens to get to their nesting boxes? If I shut off the access to the coop to keep the chicks in, the older ladies won't have anywhere to lay their eggs. I attached a photo of the schematic of my coop. I am also not inclined to let the chicks free-range until they are older, which is why I was thinking about a playpen in the run.

What tips can you give me to make this transition as smooth as possible? I am currently doing the "see but don't touch" with the separate coops/runs. But the chicks will outgrow that Eglu in the next 6 weeks.

Please give me any advice that you have used and found that worked. Thank you - Anne

 

[NatJ]

My run is 8ft by 12 feet. I am not very handy, so I was thinking about adding an outdoor chicken playpen (from amazon) inside the run for the chicks. And I was thinking about getting a small dog crate for inside the coop to keep the chicks safe at night, until they have integrated. I am attaching the links so you all can see what I am looking at on amazon.
For inside the run: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083B718VT/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A1LJO3FZJ9NMOU&psc=1
For inside the coop: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HCLDFC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Yes, that could work.

How do I keep the chicks "cooped up" while still allowing the hens to get to their nesting boxes? If I shut off the access to the coop to keep the chicks in, the older ladies won't have anywhere to lay their eggs. I attached a photo of the schematic of my coop. I am also not inclined to let the chicks free-range until they are older, which is why I was thinking about a playpen in the run.

I don't quite understand the problem.

Are you trying to keep the chicks safe from the hens?
Are you trying to let the hens out to free range but not let the chicks out?

If the problem is just a place for the hens to lay their eggs, maybe they could lay their eggs in that eglu, or maybe you could put out some kind of temporary nestboxes during the transition time. Even a cardboard box can last a few weeks, which may be long enough.

What tips can you give me to make this transition as smooth as possible? I am currently doing the "see but don't touch" with the separate coops/runs. But the chicks will outgrow that Eglu in the next 6 weeks.

Please give me any advice that you have used and found that worked. Thank you - Anne

Have you seen this article yet?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

I like the idea of chick-sized doors, so the chicks have a safe place away from the hens, but can come out and mingle when they feel it is safe. You might be able to do something similar with a dog crate or chick playpen, by securing the door just the right amount open. (A scrap of wood and a piece of string would probably work: wood so it can't shut all the way, string so it can't open any further.)

 

[Lor]

I put my chicks in a safe pen in the run. When they needed more space I blocked off another portion of the run. As for the coop we fenced off half (lengthwise) for the chicks to be in the coop while safe from the hens who need to lay and roost at night.

 

[AnneRaduns]

Yes, that could work.


I don't quite understand the problem.

Are you trying to keep the chicks safe from the hens?
Are you trying to let the hens out to free range but not let the chicks out?

If the problem is just a place for the hens to lay their eggs, maybe they could lay their eggs in that eglu, or maybe you could put out some kind of temporary nestboxes during the transition time. Even a cardboard box can last a few weeks, which may be long enough.



Have you seen this article yet?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

I like the idea of chick-sized doors, so the chicks have a safe place away from the hens, but can come out and mingle when they feel it is safe. You might be able to do something similar with a dog crate or chick playpen, by securing the door just the right amount open. (A scrap of wood and a piece of string would probably work: wood so it can't shut all the way, string so it can't open any further.)

Great response. I love the link to the article you posted. Very well thought out. Thank you so much for all of this good information. I really appreciate it.