introducing 14 week old chicks to flock

[gunny]

I have a mature flock of 15 hens and recently got some younger chicks. I have had them separated and tried to put them with the flock today and the older hens instantly started pecking feathers. I had just fed the hens their daily table scraps so that might have something to do with it. I thought they would be ok because I let them free range together with no problems. How old should the chicks be before I put them into general population? Is there a technique to prevent pecking.

 

[abanjaf]

My 6 week olds are now out in the coop with my 13 hens and 2 roos. They are in a metal dog crate with grated flooring. They are allowed out to free range with the adults every evening but then are returned to their makeshift roost until they are larger. Once they are similar in size to the rest of your flock, you should be able to keep them together. Unfortunately the pecking that will occur can not be avoided. The older ones insist that the young ones will have to be taught their place. I will also add additional feeders and watering stations at that time so that the younger crowd has other places to go to for food and water rather than intruding on the elders territory.