Introducing chicks to hens...................?

[Shared Acres]

I got a tupperware storage container and cut a hole small enough for the chicks to get into but not the adults and made this the baby house. (We did our hole about 6"x4" long and I think it's too big, because the adults have gone in there)

We then put the babies in the chicken house out in the coop. I sat out there with them for awhile and encouraged the babies to come out with food.

I sat in the corner and the hens would peck at them if they got to close, but nothing to malicious. They are all now in the pen and the babies rarely use the baby house anymore, but they stay away from the large chickens. My smallest baby out there is about 3 weeks old, I think.

BTW, for the first couple of days, I put a small thing of water and food in the baby house, just in case they were too scared to wander out.

Nowadays, when I go in to feed them treats the babies run up and eat out of my hands, while the adults keep their distance.

 

[Teresaann24]

I think that is what my problem was. I had only built the run big enough for 3 chicks when I had to move my rooster and quick i didnt even think of that. I am thinking with being less room for a run built for 3 and adding 3 more I just don't think they was enough room.

 

[crzychicken]

I love reading all the Info from you all,Thanks. I have 26- 3week old chicks and 5- 12 week old. I will be going through this same thing. The 3 week old chicks will be going into there temp coop (5x6) and my 12 weeks olds are in a old rabbit coop. I also have a 10x12 coop that they all will go in at sometime. My run is temp. spilt they will see one another, but I won't put them together for a few weeks then I plan to let them free range together but stay in there temp coops at night for 1 week or so than I'll put themall in the big coop together.
I hope it works anyone have any other sugg.
crzychicken

 

[zebber1]

Hey everybody thanks for the info! And Teresaann24 I'm so sorry about your little one. You get attached to these little guys/gals I know! I recently had to put one of my hens down as a bear got into my hen house and swatted her on the back-end. My dog and I ran off the bear before he did any more damage but I nursed her for 1-1/2 weeks and then just got tired of seeing her suffer. I still feel terrible when I think about her.

Anyway, I think I've figured out a way to keep them apart inside the same chicken house. From the sounds of what all you guys are saying looks like I'm going to have to keep them apart for some time yet! I'm glad I asked before I did something I would have REALLY felt terrible about. But you know, one of those baby chicks is probably going to slap the hens around! ha ha ..............she cracks me up! She is a tough one!
Thanks again all

 

[pixie74943]

these stories give me hope..

My little ten week old is a sassy girl, and the original pair are the biggest bullies ever. Its been a month and she still gets chased everywhere.

Its a little better, but I'm hoping when she gets bigger she takes over the coop, she deserves it with the bullying she gets

 

[hagenfun]

Most of these replies have to do with older chicks/chickens, but I have a different question. I got 8 chicks about 4 weeks ago from a hatchery (buff orpingtons and Rhode Island reds). 2 days ago I got 5 "Easter egg" chicks (4 girls and a boy). They were all in a 8'x8' pen in my garage but separated by 2 old glass shower doors. At first the older girls would peck at the glass trying to get the little ones. Now (no matter how hard I try) a Rhode Island Red has gotten on the chick side 2 times. I can not be sure it is the same RIR. A baby chick has also gotten on the side with the 4 week olds. I am not sure where or how these girls are getting on the other side. I wish I had a camera to watch them. My question is, do you think since both the 4 week old and the 2 day olds are trying to get to each other it is safe to just put them together? I am not sure if they all would be good to the little ones. I just fear the babies getting killed but also do not want to discourage a need to be together.

 

[Farmer Viola]

Most of these replies have to do with older chicks/chickens, but I have a different question. I got 8 chicks about 4 weeks ago from a hatchery (buff orpingtons and Rhode Island reds). 2 days ago I got 5 "Easter egg" chicks (4 girls and a boy). They were all in a 8'x8' pen in my garage but separated by 2 old glass shower doors. At first the older girls would peck at the glass trying to get the little ones. Now (no matter how hard I try) a Rhode Island Red has gotten on the chick side 2 times. I can not be sure it is the same RIR. A baby chick has also gotten on the side with the 4 week olds. I am not sure where or how these girls are getting on the other side. I wish I had a camera to watch them. My question is, do you think since both the 4 week old and the 2 day olds are trying to get to each other it is safe to just put them together? I am not sure if they all would be good to the little ones. I just fear the babies getting killed but also do not want to discourage a need to be together.

2 days old is pretty young. do you know exactly when they hatched/their real ages?
I would not combine them until they are at least 1 week old. maybe 2 depending on how strong they are. once they can hold their own, I would integrate them together and monitor their behavior. if anything goes bad, back to separation.. but I think they are so young it will be a non-issue. just make sure the chicks are about a week old or more, 2 days is way too little.

 

[sexesr]

I understand all the info on separating...but what about at night? Can they roost in the coop with the others? Or do they just not roost till older?

 

[Beekissed]

I understand all the info on separating...but what about at night? Can they roost in the coop with the others? Or do they just not roost till older?

They can make it up to the roost as young as 2 mo. of age..and even much younger if the roosts are low... and will often attempt to roost with Mom, though the other birds may peck them back down a notch. Sometimes they will sleep together in the nest boxes or in the bedding on the floor.