Integration: Chicks with Pullets or Hens

[Whiskyness]

Where can I find information on how to integrate different aged chickens?

Is it possible?

 

[DobieLover]

Where can I find information on how to integrate different aged chickens?

Is it possible?

Yes, it's possible.
The easiest way to integrate chicks with full grown chickens is to brood them in the coop in full view of each other but unable to touch.
The sooner you can get the chicks into the coop, the better.
Create a partition in the coop for the chicks using chicken wire or hardware cloth. Something they can't fly out of and the large birds can't fly in. Make one or two small doors in it that are big enough for the chicks but too small for the adults to go through.
After a week or so, lock the adults out of the coop and let the chicks out of the enclosure to explore the coop for several hours.
Then let your friendliest hen in and monitor their interaction. Let another hen in. Make sure the chicks can get away when they need to. Make sure there are lots of places in the coop and run where they can hide.
If everything goes well, leave the little doors open for the chicks to come and go as they please.
For a while they will return to their safe place. Eventually, they will make their way to the roosts and stay as far from the adults as possible.
The birds will not form a cohesive flock until several weeks after the new comers start to lay.

 

[aart]

Where can I find information on how to integrate different aged chickens?

What ages?

The easiest way to integrate chicks with full grown chickens is to brood them in the coop in full view of each other but unable to touch.
The sooner you can get the chicks into the coop, the better.

Yeppers!!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/


Still follow these tips on...
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/