Integrating Young Chicks into Existing Flock

[emilieseggs]

Hello, everyone!

I have five, 4-week old chickens that I am hoping to integrate into my existing flock of chickens within the next week or two. Of the other chickens that I already have outside in the coop, the ages range from 5 months to 2 years old, so they are larger than the young ones that I will be bringing in. What is the best way to most efficiently and seamlessly introduce the young chickens to the rest of my flock?

Thanks!

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Hi! What's your coop/run set up like? (dimensions, pics if you have them)

The "look but don't touch" approach is recommended for awhile at first. Your chicks are older, but here's thread about brooding in the coop - the pics are really helpful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ted-and-on-their-roost.1301232/#post-21194402

 

[Perris]

hello @emilieseggs ! welcome to BYC
look but don't touch for some weeks, then lots of places to flee and hide, just in case one of the hens tries to bully them. Good luck! oh - and multiple feeding stations!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/integrating-chicks-into-flock-at-4-weeks-old.1159151/

 

[emilieseggs]

Hi! What's your coop/run set up like? (dimensions, pics if you have them)

The "look but don't touch" approach is recommended for awhile at first. Your chicks are older, but here's thread about brooding in the coop - the pics are really helpful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ted-and-on-their-roost.1301232/#post-21194402

Thank you for sharing the link! I have the ability in my coop to adopt a similar set up as this!

 

[emilieseggs]

hello @emilieseggs ! welcome to BYC
look but don't touch for some weeks, then lots of places to flee and hide, just in case one of the hens tries to bully them. Good luck! oh - and multiple feeding stations!

Thank you so much for your advice! I am definitely going to foster the "look but don't touch" approach.