Integrating new chicks to established flock

[BuckeyeFoodie]

Hello!

I got some new chicks in today(12 chicks and two ducks, with two more ducks coming in two weeks), and unfortunately both of my broody hens rejected them so I am having to brood the little buggers away from my established flock. They are going to outgrow their brooder pretty quickly, and the only other place I have for them is in the coop with my adult chickens (a mixed flock, mostly hens, but with a few roo's, one of whom is a total sheister).


What is the best age to introduce my newbies to my flock without them getting pecked to death? What is the best way to introduce them? I can lock them into one half of the coop where they can be seen but not attacked, would that be a good way to do it?

Thanks!

 

[Kelsie2290]

It's usually best to integrate them into the new flock when they are about the same size, 8+ weeks... and keeping them side by side in the coop is a great way to do it. The Learning Center has a nice article on integrating flocks and various ways of doing it (after the quarantine section) https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock