Integrating Young Chicks With Older Hens

[normlori]

How do I introduce young chicks with my six two year old hens?

 

[Hamptons06]

I have week old chicks and am trying to integrate them with my 2-1yo hens as well. One of the chicks escaped into the big coop the other night and the hens didn't even care.

 

[Chew593]

You have to be careful... I have a 4 week old chick that one of my hens hatched. He's been out with the big girls for a couple weeks with no problems. I went out to the coop 2 days ago and he's been hen pecked horribly. Big wound between his wings. Bloody mess. You never know when they're going to start picking and once they do they're relentless. That being said, I've learned that the best thing you can do it set up a pen within the coop so they can see each other but not pick on each other. Once they get closer to the same size you can let them out to free range together (if you can) for a couple hours and see how they do. They'll need to be supervised and checked on frequently. Then you just need to watch them until you know they're integrated. Good luck. I hope others with more experience chime in. I'd like to think I'm on the right path, but I am still pretty new to chickens myself.

 

[cluckcluck42]

I built a large brooder in my coop and moved the babies out around 5 weeks old. After about a week or two a baby escaped and I found him hanging around with the momma birds, not a scratch on him. Shortly after that I let all the babies out under supervision and the hens ignore them unless one got too close to a treat, then they get chased away just like any other competitor lol. The whole flock get along very well, I've had absolutely no problems.

 

[bosoxbratt]

Hi there can anyone tell me what type of chick this is? we forgot what they are supposed to be TY

 

[bosoxbratt]

I am sorry I posted the pics in the wrong area