Integrating pullets with 4 week old chicks

[2MChickens]

I’m planning on adding 3 new pullets to my flock this week. I have 3 week old chicks right now, is it okay to brood the new chicks with the older girls or should I keep them separated for a while?

 

[The Birb King]

How much of an age difference is there?

 

[2MChickens]

How much of an age difference?

When I bring the new girls home there will be a 4 week difference.

 

[The Birb King]

When I bring the new girls home there will be a 4 week difference.

I would watch them closely for awhile and separate them if anyone is being aggressive.

 

[2MChickens]

I would watch them closely for awhile and separate them if anyone is being aggressive.

Thank you!

 

[aart]

Have lots of space and multiple feed/water stations.
How many smaller chicks?

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[2MChickens]

Have lots of space and multiple feed/water stations.
How many smaller chicks?

Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Here's some tips about....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thank you! This is so helpful. We will be adding 3 new chicks.

 

[aart]

We will be adding 3 new chicks.

Yes, but I wasn't sure about this.....

I have 3 week old chicks right now

Do you have 3 one week old chicks.......or an unknown number of three week old chicks?

 

[2MChickens]

Yes, but I wasn't sure about this.....

Do you have 3 one week old chicks.......or an unknown number of three week old chicks?

Ahhhh right, I have (7) 3 week old chicks