Introducing 6 weeks old chicks to 2 yo hens

[Dan Davis]

We decided to start over with 18 new chicks, 9 BSL's and 9 RIR's. They are now 7 weeks old, and would like to know if we can introduce them to the current flock of 11, 6 CQ's and 5 RIR's. Our original plan to but the new chicks in an old fenced off garden with their own coop, but now have questions about putting all 29 in the same coop. Coop is 48sqft elevated over a 112 sqft run. We think it's risky, but just wanted to see what your thoughts are. We are butchering our current 11 in August.

 

[BDutch]

They have to get used to each other at such a young age before you can add them together.
There are a few articles you can read on introducing chicks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/?page=2

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/

@aart
@rosemarythyme
@Shadrach ???

 

[rosemarythyme]

In this case, since the old birds are going bye-bye, I don't know if I'd bother with integrating. If your plan down the line is to continue to rotate out spent birds, having 2 set ups might be an easier way to go.

As it is, with the existing set up, you do NOT have enough space for the new additions, and will not be able to safely integrate as space is crucial during integration, especially with young birds involved. At a bare minimum I'd recommend a coop of around 120 sq ft and a run of around 300 sq ft, just to have them live together after they were integrated.