Introducing chicks to existing chickens

[emmaellie]

I currently have 2 Rhode Island Red hens. I’ve had them for about a month and half now. They are approximately a year old. I have 4 Buff Orpingtons and 5 BlackBarred that are 6 weeks old. When and how should I introduce the chicks to the older hens?

 

[azygous]

First you need to pen them up together with a safe barrier to protect the chicks so the chicks and the hens can become acquainted and learn about one another from observation over about a week period.

Then the way I do it is to open chick-size openings into the safe pen, more than one for safety, and then let the chicks start to explore. It doesn't take long for the chicks to figure out the setup and learn to run back to safety if they feel overwhelmed.

I have five chicks right now that are mingling safely with an adult flock of nineteen, including roosters. They have been brooded from day one in my run so the flock knows the chicks are part of the flock. The chicks are just three and a half weeks old and are running around the run like they run the place. Their food and water is in their safe pen, and they retreat to it when they want to rest and eat.

 

[aart]

Here's some examples of how to do that, mine and 2 others are linked.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[emmaellie]

Here's some examples of how to do that, mine and 2 others are linked.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Thank you for the examples. We have started using large dog kennel and bringing the chicks out to introduce them to the Rhode Island Reds. We will continue this for a while and then eventually integrate.