Introducing 12 new chicks to 1 older chicken

[Lampeter]

We started our small flock two years ago and, after some losses, were left with one remaining chicken. We are now raising 12 almost five-week-olds and are trying to figure out how to successfully introduce them to our existing chicken.

Would early integration be best? Or waiting until they are older? The nighttime temperatures around here should sync up with their maturity in the next few weeks.

Our coop is half of a potting shed and quite large-- maybe 5x8 feet inside. The run is a large fenced area. I am not sure how to modify these areas for the two groups. Any suggestions?

This is my first time integrating a flock at all, and I am having difficulty finding info when the original "flock" is a single chicken. She has sadly been on her own for about 6 months now.

 

[azygous]

Your hen is around two, from what you've posted. That is borderline in chicken maturity. Usually older than that, you won't see much bullying of chicks. But it also depends on temperament.

You aren't jumping the gun by integrating soonest. I start integration of new chicks at two weeks. My secret, though, is a chick safe pen with chick size openings so the adults can't fit through. This allows the chicks a safe haven with their food and water so they aren't bullied away from essentials.

My chicks are integrated fully by age three or four weeks and are living in the coop by age five weeks. So yours should be able to handle integration right away.

This is how I brood outdoors and integrate early. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

 

[Lampeter]

Thank you. Your article was fascinating.

Given that I can't overhaul the coop at the moment, would it be adequate to provide two safe spaces, perhaps a large box with chicken wire on the top for the coop and a youngster-sized hole in the side and a covered pen with a chick-door in the run? Or are they old enough not to need those?

You were correct that the older hen is 2 years.

 

[azygous]

Improvising is certainly permitted! You understand the concept, and you will come up with a system that works for you.