Introducing chicks to chickens

[bpoore04]

I have 5-5 week old chicks and 8 grown chickens. The chicks are in a smaller coop that is in the actual coop so they can see each other but we tried to bring one of the small ones out and a bigger one pecked it right in the eye. When would be the best time to introduce them. They have been able to see each other for around 2 weeks now.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

7- 9 weeks.

 

[bpoore04]

7- 9 weeks.

Ok thank you

 

[so lucky]

I suggest you do a little reading up on successful integrating old and new chickens. You may have to take extra precautions, and be sure to do it on a day you will have some time off so you can observe and stop any overly aggressive hens.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well, I will suggest doing it again, but trying it a bit different. Taking a look at the pen/coop that you have them in, can you open the bottom of the fencing, either lift it up or cut some kind of one way openings, as in the chicks can go in and out effortlessly and without getting trapped and the big hens can't follow. I have also used lattice paneling that the chicks could go through like water. You must make sure that the chicks have a lot of choices to get back into the safety zone, or they could get trapped outside.

You can also put pallets on or near the ground that the chicks can get under, but the big girls can't follow. Or some bushy thing like an old Christmas tree. Something the chicks can get into and hide.

This allows them to develop chicken society without you. The chicks on their terms will go out into the big girl space, and escape to the safe zone as needed. When you first set it up let the big girls outside of the coop/run. Open it up for you chicks to venture forth. Let them do it on their terms. Then once they come forth a bit, give them a mock chase, and they will scoot back to safety and you are set.

Keep food and water in the safe zone.

My 3 week chicks were accepted by the flock in a week. Works way better than the humans trying to control it. However, once in a while you get a real mean biddy, that is just unjust, lock her up for a few days.

MRs K

 

[aart]

This is how I do it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

And as always, follow some.....
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.