Integrating my chicks - HELP

[ChickenGirl555]

the time has come. I have been talking about integrating my chicks before I even got them, and I have to start soon, or else it will be below freezing when I first put them out. I must do this soon so please give me ideas and help on this and what I’ve done. I introduced them yesterday for the FIRST TIME, and this is what happened...

First I put the chicks on the grass and they just stood there. The ‘Bigs’ (my 4-month-old pullets) just did there own thing while free ranging, pecking the grass and ignoring them. I brought a pullet over and she started pecking them on the head, pecking the Cochin chick first, then the Naked Neck, and repeating for a bit. Then I shooed the Big, and grabbed the ‘Littles’ (The two chicks) and put them in the coop and gathered the Bigs in the coop. Then about 3 bold hens walked up and kept pecking until 1 hen PICKED UP THE CHICK. I freaked out as the chick screamed and I broke them up, and comforted the chick. This was the only time they did anything besides pecking
On the head. I soon put them away since they were only babies and it was pretty cold, but the warmest we had all week.

So that’s my story, what did I do wrong? What should I do next? Please help, I'm confused and a little worried. (This is my second post on this since nobody saw my first one)

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Can you set them up in their own adjacent quarters near the big girls?

The experts will help but that's the general recommendation so they can get used to each other before contact can occur.

 

[Scott214]

I have a dog crate I set up next to the coop im trying to integrate them into and its right next to the run but there is a barrier but they can establish a pecking order still without contact. The best amount of time is for a week but will work with less time too. Results may vary depending on each birds personality but it usually works for me. Also when i do integrate i feed treats so they arent as focused on eachother. also when eating they will establish who eats first and then later.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Can you set them up in their own adjacent quarters near the big girls?

The experts will help but that's the general recommendation so they can get used to each other before contact can occur.

I might once they get more feathers

 

[Scott214]

It is only gonna get colder so if you could put a light near them to help so they can adapt to the weather and then the night before putting them together take away the light so they are used to it.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I have a dog crate I set up next to the coop im trying to integrate them into and its right next to the run but there is a barrier but they can establish a pecking order still without contact. The best amount of time is for a week but will work with less time too. Results may vary depending on each birds personality but it usually works for me. Also when i do integrate i feed treats so they arent as focused on eachother. also when eating they will establish who eats first and then later.

Ok, I’ll grab the old dog cage when I get home, but my main concern is the cold

 

[ChickenGirl555]

It is only gonna get colder so if you could put a light near them to help so they can adapt to the weather and then the night before putting them together take away the light so they are used to it.

Yeah, but another problem is that we don’t have a outlet close to them

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I put my not quite month olds outside last week. We've had wet windy 30s here most days since they went out.

This is what I did. They have a mama heating pad but they outgrew everyone fitting under or on top. I had another heating pad without the auto shut off feature so I hot glued smooth vinyl into a pillowcase sort of cover for the heating pad. I took a clear Rubbermaid type tub and used a dremel to cut and smooth 2 openings maybe 8x8 inches, then set the tub over the pad upside down. Added an inch of bedding, give or take, until it felt warm when I laid my hand on it. A mini warm room! Most of them sleep in there, but some on the mama heating pad still.

Seems around a month no one wants to sleep under the pad anymore, but they were cold and this blocks stray drafts when the pop door is open.

Could you arrange something similar?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Yeah, but another problem is that we don’t have a outlet close to them

Extension cords designed for outdoors work in a pinch.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I put my not quite month olds outside last week. We've had wet windy 30s here most days since they went out.

This is what I did. They have a mama heating pad but they outgrew everyone fitting under or on top. I had another heating pad without the auto shut off feature so I hot glued smooth vinyl into a pillowcase sort of cover for the heating pad. I took a clear Rubbermaid type tub and used a dremel to cut and smooth 2 openings maybe 8x8 inches, then set the tub over the pad upside down. Added an inch of bedding, give or take, until it felt warm when I laid my hand on it. A mini warm room! Most of them sleep in there, but some on the mama heating pad still.

Seems around a month no one wants to sleep under the pad anymore, but they were cold and this blocks stray drafts when the pop door is open.

Could you arrange something similar?

I don’t think I’ll be able to do that sadly, I have a lot of things going on and I really just have the weekends to fully watch them.