Integrating New Chicks with Hens

[les0320]

I am ready to put my new chicks into a run near my hens. Because of the additions, I have had to build a bigger coop, and am unsure whether to put the new chicks into the larger coop and attach the run, or put the new chicks in the old coop with the run attached. Hens free range, and I ultimately want to remove the smaller coop from the yard. Do I put the hens in the new coop, hoping they will accept the new chicks, or do I leave the hens in the small coop, and hope that they decide to join the chicks?

 

[Judy]

I would probably put the new chicks in the old coop and the hens in the new one until the chicks are nearer adut size. Of course, they then wi[l try to get into their old coop, but hopefully will go into the new one because they can't get into their old one. This way, the old flock will have adjusted to its new home before it has to adjust to new birds. When I integrated them, I would probably let them all free range at the same time. I'd probably wait a couple more weeks or so, then if all was relatively peacefu, remove the old coop.

That's just one plan. Every flock is different, and people do this all sorts of ways. Sometimes they peck awfully and sometimes it's relatively peaceful. I think free ranging will be an advantage when integrating the two groups, because they will have the space to move apart or together as they wish.

 

[Den in Penn]

Not knowing the number of either age it is tough to give a good anwser.. I think I would do the opposite and put the young ones in the new coop and and the run. Let them alone in the new coop till they reach 9, 10 weeks and then let them free range with the older ones for a couple more. Then move the older ones in the new coop with the youngsters, and remove the old coop. The younger immature flock would have the home field advantage evening out the playing field for the coop integration. But the numbers might well work out better the way Judy gave.

 

[Judy]

Or it might work out better the way Den described! There sure isn't any "right" way.

Good luck, however you go about it.

 

[les0320]

Thanks! I put the older ones (2 at 10 months old) in the new coop, put the younger ones (5 at 5 1/2 weeks) in the smaller one with the run. Older ones were not very happy about not being able to get into their house last night, but they didn't seem as upset this morning when they had breakfast cooked for them! Even laid eggs in there today, so I think it will be ok. Not sure either way would have gone better than the other, I think you are both correct, either way could work or not work. Hopefully the older ones will steak out their spot in the new one, which has plenty of room for all of them when they're ready.

 

[rainbowhatchery]

I introduce new birds all the time and I like to put them in something but where they can all get to know one another, like an adjoining coop. If its just a new hen I use a dog kennel inside the coop for a few days.