Integrating young chickens to established flock

[wistlindixie]

I have some 5 week old chickens that are in a grow out pen but would like to get them into the established flock asap. What would be a good age/method for doing this?

 

[QualityPolish]

Let them become older first, where they can be independent without a heat lamp and can be outside. Once they've reached this stage you can begin introducing.

Here is my method.

1. First, basically split your coop in half with chicken wire etc. This way they can decide the pecking order without conflicts. Do not let them mix with the flock yet wait about a week or so before you remove the wire.
2. Once they've established the order of things and have gotten use to each other behind the wire, you're ready to put them in with the flock. DO NOT do this during the day. Slip them into the coop or on the perch at night. That way in the morning the other birds will be like, "Oooh heey, oh wait foood!" They'll be to distracted by breakfast to think about fighting. Then they'll gradually just become part of the flock.


I've done this multiple times and it has worked for me although sometimes it is unsuccessful. Just keep trying.

QP

 

[Mahonri]

The only young ones I've ever been able to integrate successfully (without lots of pecking) before they are 16 weeks, is when they are integrated with their broody mama. I have some 7 week old chicks in the big coop and have been there for two weeks but only because they were with their mama. The older hens still peck on them once in a while, but for the most part they are ignored and can peck and scratch along with the big girls at will

 

[rosegal]

I have large cages that I put the younger chicks in first. One inside the chicken yard and another outside. They get used to each other, but they still get pecked. When they are feathered they go in the cage outside the chicken yard where the older ones can see them. Then they get moved to the cage inside the chicken yard. But, that is the life of a chicken, they are always establishing and reestablishing the pecking order for food.