introducing chicks to older chicks?

[Albanese07]

I did it! I integrated last night. So far no fighting - just staying far away from each other. The bigger ones seem almost afraid of the smaller ones! I put out two separate places for food and water. It looks like the bigger ones are guarding one of the food and water stations, which sort of worries me . It's the one in the nest box I put in there for the smaller ones. The little ones are staying in the box and so far I don't think they have been in the run yet. That's where the other food and water is. I guess it just takes time! I'll be checking on them every hour or so throughout the day.
Hopefully all will go well. The older ones do seem a bit miffed about the little ones! What personality chickens have!!

 

[Albanese07]

Ok so now the younger ones stay in the corner of the nesting box all the time and are afraid to go out in the run. They have food/water in there. But I think the older ones are intimidating them into hiding in the nesting box.
Is this normal for day 2? Will it get better? How long should it take? Any advice would be appreciated . I hate to see them sitting in the corner all day!

 

[TonySorrento]

do you have an update on the integration?

 

[what did I do]

I'm interested in this too.

 

[Albanese07]

I'm very happy to report they all integrated with no problems! Not one fight!
They all eat and drink together now. The two older ones are bonded to each other and they've accepted the younger ones even at treat time!
The two younger ones stick together most of the time. I think having them in equal pairs has helped too.
At night they all sleep in the box but in pairs.
I guess I was worried for nothing!

 

[Tenmore]

Well I'm glad it worked out for you....I've. Tried for 3 day to intergrate 3 3 week old chicks with my other 9 week holds and they are ruthless......I've put the little ones in a dog carrier in the brooder but Evey time I let them out it gets ugly fast.

 

[LucyCline]

I have (2) 2 week olds and (12) 7 week olds. I've been reading the threads on this, trying to figure out the best time and way to integrate mine. I'm thinking I should wait until my little ones are more feathered out and bigger. The brooder is plenty big to keep 2 chicks for as long as I need it to. But I'm so curious as to what my big kids would do with my little ones! I'm thinking about bringing the little babies out into the run for short periods and just watching them closely and see what happens. Anyone have an opinion on that?

I really appreciate any advice. this is my first time trying to raise chickens. So far so good!

 

[LucyCline]

Well... I just had to find out what would happen. I took my New Hampshire first (she's the easiest of the two to catch) and she just stood there and let a bigger chick peck her. Wouldn't even try to get away. Then I put her up and got my Red Sex Link. I took her out there and she started squawking and scared all of the bigger chicks, lol. She started eating grass and pecking at the potato peelings I had thrown in the pen for the bigger chicks earlier today. I know at 2 weeks they're not big enough to go out with the big chicks, but I think I'll take them out a little each week and slowly introduce them to the bigger ones. Hopefully they'll all get along by the time the babies can stay out.

 

[Albanese07]

Don't worry eventually they will all get along! I think putting them into the coop at night is one reason they never fought.
I've read on here never to give raw patatoes to chickens. It has some sort of chemical that's bd for them. You can give cooked patatoes though.

 

[LucyCline]

I took both babies out yesterday and let them run with the bigger chicks. I sat in the pen (something I love to do anyway!) and supervised the 'playdate'. The bigger chicks were curious and there was a little pecking, but not too much. It went much better than I thought it would. At just 2 weeks, the babies aren't big enough yet to be left with the others full time yet, but I think the playdates might be the way to go. About the potato peelings, I'd read that somewhere too, but my husband said his family has always fed potato peelings to chickens, and I can remember my grandmother and aunt doing it.