Introducing chicks soon?

[RaptorMom]

I have four 5 week old chicks that I hope to put outside soon. I’ve read various opinions on when and how to introduce chicks to the big flock. My plan is to put the chicks in my mini coop (with run) next to the big girl coop and let them see each other when the big girls are out and eventually let them free range together for several days/weeks before combining them into the big coop. Would this method work or do I need to change my strategy?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[RWise]

My chicks went to the outdoor brooder at less than 2 weeks old. The flock found them before I had them out of the box. The BA had her head held high and came right over. The girls go visit several times a day, and the chicks have not venture into their private run yet, to the door for a look outside,,,

 

[aart]

Sounds like a good plan to me too.
After a couple weeks you could prop the mini runs door open just enough for chicks to go in and out, but not enough for the older birds to be able to fit thru.

I too brood chicks in coop starting at about 1 week after hatch.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

But I still follow the.....
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.

 

[RaptorMom]

Helpful advice, all. Thank you!

 

[RaptorMom]

Well here’s the new setup. This will be their first night outside. Hopefully I’ll still have four chicks in the morning!

 

[Kawalters]

I’m introducing new chicks to an existing group of three. We did the separation in the same coop so they would get used to each other and a week ago tried to combine them, but the existing chickens drew some blood on the comb of one of our new chicks (9 weeks). We got scared so they are separated again. They seem to do fine when they all free range, but in the pen together they start bullying the new Ones. Do I just integrate them and hope for the best?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I’m introducing new chicks to an existing group of three. We did the separation in the same coop so they would get used to each other and a week ago tried to combine them, but the existing chickens drew some blood on the comb of one of our new chicks (9 weeks). We got scared so they are separated again. They seem to do fine when they all free range, but in the pen together they start bullying the new Ones. Do I just integrate them and hope for the best?

I would keep up what you are doing for a bit longer.