introducing chicks to established flock

[yomama]

Hey there,

I have a flock of 4 hens, that I am considering adding to come this spring or summer. I have a Black Astralorp, a RIR, a RIR bantam and a Black Sexlink Bantam. They are all 1 1/2 years old and pretty sweet ladies. They are actually somewhat tame and friendly for not being raised by me. ( I've only had them for about 4 months) The hens I have now are in a 10'x40' fully enclosed run ( top, bottom,sides- it's like Fort Knox). Most days, they are allowed to free range in a fenced yard, and are locked up in their run at night. Anyway, I am interested in starting out with chicks this time, and I was wondering what the best way to introduce the new girls to the established girls is. I understand that the new chicks would have to be in a brooder for a while and that they shouldn't be with the other hens until they are older anyway. If I do choose to get some new chicks, they most likely will be coming from a hatchery, (as opposed to a feed store) as I do not have a rooster. I would appreciated any advice or info on the best procedures to follow, as well as equipment, or housing I may need, other than the existing coop and run that I have.
Thanks so much!

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Well hope this helps...

1. When you first get them keep them quarenteened for 30 days.

2. I introduce mine during free range time. It's less stressful, & who doesn't bond over food?

3. I found it easier if I let the new girls out first for a few minutes to eat and drink & explore before letting the established flock out.
4. There's going to be some pecking, don't interveen unless you see either blood or that they are really beating one up. They have to establish pecking order.

5. I have a coop in my coop. I have the babies in a play yard covered inside my coop. This way the girls are already used to them by the time it's time to meet.

6. If push comes to shove, try slippin them in at night while the others are roostin. This way they wake up and whalla they're just there.

So again, hope this helps!

 

[yomama]

I also forgot to ask, at what age do I start integrating the new chicks to the older ones?

Thanks

 

[Kittymomma]

I do it like RedfogsFlock and usually when the chicks are around 3-4 months old. How many chicks are you planning on getting? I've found it goes much easier if the newbies out number the established flock.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I just integrated some babies 2 weeks ago. The babies were 14 weeks old when I put them in. My hens had about 6 weeks of being able to see the new ones, but not able to touch them. I put them in at night as well. I think if you could put them in a separated area of the coop, it would work better until they get used to each other.

Honestly, the first couple weeks is not easy. I ended up having to remove a handicapped rooster because he could not get away from the hens and they pecked him pretty badly. The other 4 babies did fine getting away, but they still took some abuse.

For the most part now, things are peaceful. There's some occasional chasing, but that's it. Yesterday was the first day they were all in the run and co-existing peacefully.

 

[PhilErvin]

I cross sectioned my enclosed run and built a small house for the new girls. They shared a common fence with the older girls and were able to get used to each other. When the new girls grew to full size I took down the cross fence and a week later they migrated into the big house on their own so I took the smaller temp. house out. The older girls still had to slap the younger ones around a bit and establish the pecking order but they have all come to a point they can get along.

 

[yomama]

Thank you so much for the info! I was only planning on getting 3-5 new ones. When RedfogsFlock spoke of "slipping the new ones in at night, while the others are roosting", I'm assuming you meant once the new ones are older and already ready to mingle with the established girls- not when they are little babies? Sorry, I'm probably overthinking this, just want to make sure I'm going to be up for this challenge. Does anyone think it would be better for me to just get a few 6 month old hens instead, or is it harder to integrate them with the established flock?

Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

The need to be close in size to the adults. I usually don't try to integrate until they are at least 14 weeks old or so and I've never put mine in at night. You could wake up to injured babies that way-that probably works better with adults. To me, it's best if they meet up for the first time "on range" or out where there is plenty of running room. No matter how sweet your hens are, they will pick on the youngsters, sometimes relentlessly. It's just the way it is. Eventually, the newbies will find their place in the flock.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I just made sure I was up early that day, and I stayed home to keep a close eye on them. When I got up there, the hens were already out in the yard, and the babies were still roosting. If you have a cockeral, DON'T put him in first. I made that mistake and he sounded his alarm and freaked everyone out.

Also keep in mind, the more babies you integrate, the more the abuse is spread out.

 

[speckledhen]

I agree, you'd have to be up early to rescue any who were having serious trouble. Integrating a new generation isn't ever really easy, but it usually doesn't end in much bloodshed.