INTEGRATING

[mpoland33]

Hello everyone,
So I have chicks at a few stages and was wondering a couple things.

First off, I will have 3 week old chicks when my next hatch happens. Can you put them in the same brooder?

2nd, how and when does everyone integrate the chicks into your current hens?I have a mix of 10 one and two year olds. I have a raised coop with a ramp so I was thinking about making a little nest with a small hole so only they can get in and out and putting it under the coop

 

[aart]

I split the brooder with a mesh divider for different aged chicks, then play it by eye when to integrate them once the youngsters get their feet under them and are eating/drinking/pooping/moving around OK.
Having lots of space will make things go much better.

Here's some tips on....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

But still always good to pay attention to ......
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/