Integrating new chicks

[HJMimi]

I agree with the suggestions made here. By allowing the chicks to be in the coop safely with the rest of the flock they will all get used to seeing other. They'll still have to re-establish their pecking order but this is the easiest way. When my mama had her first 2 hatches I kept her and the babies in a crate in the coop. Once the babies started leaving the crate through the slats I then removed the crate. Anytime I've brooded bitties myself, I keep them in the house and take them to the run (mine all free-range the backyard but we kept the run in tact from when we started for this reason) for field trips. My orpingtons are always the first ones to come over to the run and look at the bitties. I've found doing it this way is the easiest for me and haven't had issues.

Thank you so much for your advice. I appreciate you taking the time to give me suggestions.

 

[HJMimi]

I agree with the suggestions made here. By allowing the chicks to be in the coop safely with the rest of the flock they will all get used to seeing other. They'll still have to re-establish their pecking order but this is the easiest way. When my mama had her first 2 hatches I kept her and the babies in a crate in the coop. Once the babies started leaving the crate through the slats I then removed the crate. Anytime I've brooded bitties myself, I keep them in the house and take them to the run (mine all free-range the backyard but we kept the run in tact from when we started for this reason) for field trips. My orpingtons are always the first ones to come over to the run and look at the bitties. I've found doing it this way is the easiest for me and haven't had issues.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your advice.

 

[HJMimi]

Put the brooder on the ground and remove the cardboard.
Can you please post a picture of the brooder?
If you are using a brooder plate, I would continue to do what you are doing only leaving the chicks out for 3-4 hours instead of 30 minutes for another week.

Try to arrange things in the coop so there are places the chicks can hide under or behind where the hens cannot reach them. When the chicks are 2 weeks old, secure the door to the crate so it is only wide enough for the chicks to fit through and let them out after the adults have left the coop and leave the door open to the coop so the adults can come and go as they please and just sit in the coop and watch. More than likely, the chicks will be absolutely fine. A little chasing is fine but stop any real aggression. If everyone seems to be doing okay, leave the door propped open so the chicks can get back under their heat source for the night. They'll have themselves roosting with the adults in a sub-flock in a few weeks. They won't fully integrate until the pullets start to lay.

I highly suggest you rehome all the cockerels from the hatch. I like to give all my cockerels a start in the flock with the adults to tune them up and teach them manners before they get penned and rehomed as flock leaders.

Advice please: I have a 1 year old rooster and 2 hens. I have 7 chicks I hatched in an incubator. I put the chicks in the coop with the others in a large dog crate (brooder) at 1 week old. They are now 3 weeks old. In the mornings I let my older ones into the run and let the chicks out into the coop for a couple of hours. Then I put the chicks back and let the others in. In the afternoon I let the chicks out into the coop with the others and sit with them for an hour or 2 to let them be around each other. The last few days my hen who is lowest on the pecking order has been chasing all the chicks. Twice she has grabbed one and pulled off a feather. The rooster has only went at them once and only chased them it appears because they were making a lot of racket and flapping around. He mostly ignores them as does the other hen. Do any of you have any advice on how to proceed? I don’t want the chicks injured or killed. I’m afraid to leave them alone for any amount of time. I had to place the cardboard back up on the sides last night because she was trying to get to them through the cage.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The last few days my hen who is lowest on the pecking order has been chasing all the chicks. Twice she has grabbed one and pulled off a feather.

Sounds completely normal. Make sure you have plenty of clutter https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 so the chicks can hide (or better yet, get on top of things) when the hen bullying them comes by.

The more you interfere and try to keep them apart, the longer this will take. The chicks need to learn to run away, that's what will keep them safe.

I had to place the cardboard back up on the sides last night because she was trying to get to them through the cage.

Can you get a bigger enclosure so the chicks have room to move away from the sides if needed?
Or alternatively, put a ring of chicken wire around it so she can't get too close, like so:

 

[HJMimi]

Sounds completely normal. Make sure you have plenty of clutter https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/page-6#post-25037140 so the chicks can hide (or better yet, get on top of things) when the hen bullying them comes by.

The more you interfere and try to keep them apart, the longer this will take. The chicks need to learn to run away, that's what will keep them safe.

Can you get a bigger enclosure so the chicks have room to move away from the sides if needed?
Or alternatively, put a ring of chicken wire around it so she can't get too close, like so:

View attachment 4110024

Thank you for your response. We are in the process of making another small coop and run beside the big one. It should be finished Saturday and then they will each have their own space until the chicks are bigger then I will try to integrate them. I get a lot of conflicting information and feel this is the safest thing to do.

 

[C Siena]

Put the brooder on the ground and remove the cardboard.
Can you please post a picture of the brooder?
If you are using a brooder plate, I would continue to do what you are doing only leaving the chicks out for 3-4 hours instead of 30 minutes for another week.

Try to arrange things in the coop so there are places the chicks can hide under or behind where the hens cannot reach them. When the chicks are 2 weeks old, secure the door to the crate so it is only wide enough for the chicks to fit through and let them out after the adults have left the coop and leave the door open to the coop so the adults can come and go as they please and just sit in the coop and watch. More than likely, the chicks will be absolutely fine. A little chasing is fine but stop any real aggression. If everyone seems to be doing okay, leave the door propped open so the chicks can get back under their heat source for the night. They'll have themselves roosting with the adults in a sub-flock in a few weeks. They won't fully integrate until the pullets start to lay.

I highly suggest you rehome all the cockerels from the hatch. I like to give all my cockerels a start in the flock with the adults to tune them up and teach them manners before they get penned and rehomed as flock leaders.

I have a question about leaving the brooder open so only chicks can get in and out but leaving the coop open for the adults to go in and out. Wouldn't that allow the chicks to possibly go outside the coop?

Even with me inside, they are fast. Ours are moving to the coop this weekend and are 3 weeks old. There are 15 chicks. I will have see no touch for a couple of weeks.

I will rehome the cockerels when I'm sure which ones are male.

 

[DobieLover]

I have a question about leaving the brooder open so only chicks can get in and out but leaving the coop open for the adults to go in and out. Wouldn't that allow the chicks to possibly go outside the coop?

Yes, and they will as soon as they get their courage up.
I would start the integration at 4 weeks. Once all the hens have left the coop, close the pop door to keep them out then open the chick doors to let them out of the brooder to explore the coop for about an hour. During this time, keep herding them back to the doors so they know how to get back into the brooder to avoid you. After an hour, open the coop door and permit the adults to come back in. Stay and observe the initial interactions to make sure none of the adults show aberrant behavior and really go after the chicks. If the chicks are managing themselves well, you can leave them out. If you are nervous, herd them back in and close the doors and have progressively longer sessions daily.
It usually takes some time for them to build their confidence to leave the coop. When they do, they will instinctively want to stay close to structure for protection. As their confidence grows, they will wander further away. They like to stay on the outskirts of the adult flock to observe and be near them without actually interacting with them.

 

[C Siena]

Yes, and they will as soon as they get their courage up.
I would start the integration at 4 weeks. Once all the hens have left the coop, close the pop door to keep them out then open the chick doors to let them out of the brooder to explore the coop for about an hour. During this time, keep herding them back to the doors so they know how to get back into the brooder to avoid you. After an hour, open the coop door and permit the adults to come back in. Stay and observe the initial interactions to make sure none of the adults show aberrant behavior and really go after the chicks. If the chicks are managing themselves well, you can leave them out. If you are nervous, herd them back in and close the doors and have progressively longer sessions daily.
It usually takes some time for them to build their confidence to leave the coop. When they do, they will instinctively want to stay close to structure for protection. As their confidence grows, they will wander further away. They like to stay on the outskirts of the adult flock to observe and be near them without actually interacting with them.

Good Morning. Thank you! I will do this with the 3.5 week olds when I move them.

Last night was the first night the 7 wk olds were out in the coop at night. They did not want to go back into their large open cage but wanted to go up to the roost with the adults. Half tried, 2 tried twice but after some pecks they flew down. I left at dusk and returned 10 minutes later and all quiet, so I did not open the door to check. Quiet is good.

I opened them at 6:30am and only let out 5 of the 9 adults with 4 remaining in the coop/run with the chicks. They have clutter to avoid/escape. Some pecking when chicks too close but the adults did not chase/attack them.

The chicks have seen the other coop chickens via, most want to lay in the larger coop. They have been ignored for the most part. Should I totally open the coop so the chicks can leave, if they choose? I understand, I must watch. tia

 

[DobieLover]

They did not want to go back into their large open cage but wanted to go up to the roost with the adults. Half tried, 2 tried twice but after some pecks they flew down.

How many linear feet of roost is available to the birds? Are the roosts space such that birds cannot peck at birds other than those right next them?

Should I totally open the coop so the chicks can leave, if they choose?

I would.

 

[C Siena]

How many linear feet of roost is available to the birds? Are the roosts space such that birds cannot peck at birds other than those right next them?

I would.

Roost only 8' for 9. Adding another 8' on another wall, today or Saturday.
They have two branches that are lower that they used last night. Of course, all want the highest spot.

I decided not to wait and opened the run door at 9ish. So far good with minimal confrontation and when it occurred they ran in the cage, under something and even out of the run, only to return as soon as the coast was clear.
So far only 2 stinker hens starting trouble but nothing too serious.

Hens laying not concerned but voicing if they get too close.
Thank you so much for your help.