Integrating the New girls into the Existing Flock?

[Vadybug]

They are 8 weeks old and are still on crumbles...I want to put them in with the bigger girls tonight but I’m hesitant because they’ll have access to the layer pellets. Should I wait longer to integrate them?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Axe the layer pellets for now and put everyone on the same feed, whether it's starter, grower, all flock, etc.

Once the little ones get closer to laying you can switch back to layer feed.

Oyster shell on the side will provide the calcium needed for the layers.

 

[Zan]

I'd put them in. I have 10 week old pullets in the flock, eating layer pellets and cracked corn. No issues, I've been doing it this way for years. I put broodies and babies back in the flock around 4 weeks, babies do just fine on forage, layer pellets and corn.

 

[aart]

Axe the layer pellets for now and put everyone on the same feed, whether it's starter, grower, all flock, etc.
Once the little ones get closer to laying you can switch back to layer feed.
Oyster shell on the side will provide the calcium needed for the layers.

Ditto Dat!

They are 8 weeks old ..... Should I wait longer to integrate them?

I'd have integrated earlier......
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
But......
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/

 

[boatagor]

I put my almost 8 week old pullets out into the coop a little over a week ago. I had them in a wire dog crate so they could see the older hens but couldn't be bothered. On Saturday (one week of that), I opened the crate enough that the little ones can go in and out easily, but the bigger ladies can't get inside. I also stacked some bins and logs around the coop and run for protection. There were a few scuffles the first day, and once I had to help one of the small ones (my biggest hen had her pinned down) but it's gone smoothly so far. They have food and water inside their crate that they can access whenever they need to, as well as a roosting bar. It's actually pretty funny to see one of the small ones gain some courage to run out and bother the big ones, then book it back to safety before they can get to her. My older hens have no idea what to make of the whole thing lol.