Introducing Chicks to Hens

[cposz]

We have 2 one-year old hens in the coop and 2 five-week old pullets (BO) in the brooder. In a couple of weeks, I'd love to put the little girls in the coop with the big girls, but will their age and size differences create alot of problems with fighting, etc.?

 

[Lollipop]

Yup, the big girls will give the young`uns a fit. Probably should make a temporary partition so they can see each other and after a week or so, things should go smoother. Make sure the youngsters have running room to escape........Pop

 

[cposz]

We have a small divided run and have put the chicks out to play and scratch a couple of times, each age group stays in their own part of the run. It seems that they would all love to get at each other - all are very curious!

Should I just keep them in separate runs and bring the chicks in at night then, or should I set up a temporary coop of some kind for their side of the run and leave them outside? How long until they can be placed all together in coop and run?

 

[Mahlzeit]

I usually wait until they are somewhat similar in size to add them. And I don't add them until they are off of their grower feed. I add them in at night so they wake up next to each other on the roost. Of course there is going to be a little squable as they figure out there pecking order. As long as they have some room to escape they should be fine.

 

[cposz]

Good info to know. Thanks!