Integrating chicks

[Chickenlady0512]

Hey guys! I have ten 7 week old chicks that I am integrating with 2 golden comet hens and 1 silkie rooster. My biggest question is how do I teach the chicks that the coop is home when I have adult chickens? With my adult chickens I just locked them in the coop for a couple of days when they were 7 weeks old, but now I can’t do that since I have adult chickens that are laying.

 

[Penpal]

The little ones will probably follow the big ones. If they don't follow the big guys into the coop, wait for them to snuggle up for the night, then pick them up and set into the coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For me that's the final step in integration, and what I do is lock up the brooder area completely so the chicks can no longer use it, and manually place the chicks in the coop at night (I have a cage in the coop to keep them separated from the adults until they begin roosting). I do this nightly until they decide that it's easier to just follow the adults in rather than huddle by the brooder.

 

[Yardmom]

Young birds often form sub flocks. Following the older birds is not a given. I have a seperate pen inside my coop, but not everyone has that option.
If you have enough room shut all the birds in for a few days, If not guide the chicks in each night the same way you want them to enter the coop. With in a couple days they should do it on their own .