Integrating new chicks

[potocki99]

Hi all,
I am looking for ideas on how to integrate new chicks into our well established flock. I have 4 hens and they will be 5 in a few months. Their egg laying is not ideal, but I won't part with them. It is time to get new chicks so I can stop buying eggs again My problem is I don't know how with our current setup. We have a large shed, and about 1/3 of that is the coop which has a "slide" door that goes to the run. The run has a door that goes to the yard.

Thoughts/ideas appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hi all,
I am looking for ideas on how to integrate new chicks into our well established flock. I have 4 hens and they will be 5 in a few months. Their egg laying is not ideal, but I won't part with them. It is time to get new chicks so I can stop buying eggs again My problem is I don't know how with our current setup. We have a large shed, and about 1/3 of that is the coop which has a "slide" door that goes to the run. The run has a door that goes to the yard.

Thoughts/ideas appreciated. Thank you!

How many chicks will be introduced? How much space, total, in square feet is involved? Have you already obtained the chicks? Is your coop set up to allow for sectioning off a part and does it have electric service available to it? One option is to brood the chicks in the coop, in a sectioned off area, so that they are a familiar sight to the older birds by the time they have feathered out and are ready to begin to be integrated. When you do start allowing mingling you want to set up "safe spaces" that are areas the chicks can get into but the larger birds can not (ie installing a "door" into the sectioned area that the chicks can use but is too small for the hens, placing similar areas in the coop and run, etc - can be as simple as pallets, etc lifted a few inches of the ground which allow chicks to scoot under but not full sized hens). @Blooie is one that comes to mind that uses this approach.

 

[azygous]

I use the "panic room" method of integration, too, and I wrote about it, and included pictures. It's the second link below in my signature line.