Introducing chicks to the flock

[Chic Rustler]

Whats the best age to introduce chicks to the flock and how would you go about it?

Also as far as feed goes, i dont think laying pellets are good for them. Could i feed the whole flock 20% grower crumbles for a few weeks with oyster shell available?


The reason i bring this up is i just released 9 eight week old chicks to the flock today because they are getting too big for the grow out pen. Im wondering if i made a mistake

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I integrate at 6-10 weeks of age by initially penning them in the shed where they can be seen for about a week than I begging to let them mingle under supervision. They get separated back out at night for another month or so to keep them safe.

I never feed layer anymore. I feed either a non medicated grower or an All Flock with a separate bowl of oyster shells.

 

[azygous]

Ideally, you want to give the chicks a chance to observe the adult flock members before you toss them all together to fend for themselves. Otherwise, chicks have no idea of what dangers they may be facing with the temperaments of adults they've never laid eyes on.

On the flip side, the adults won't be thrilled to have these little strangers thrust into their midst with no warning. Chickens hate surprises. They do much better if you give them a chance to ease into any sort of change.

If you can erect a barrier so the two age groups can observe one another for a week before you let them mingle, you can cut down on the amount of aggression and stress you might see,

Chicks are very good students of temperament. They watch and learn, and by the end of a week, they have a pretty good idea of who they need to run from and which chickens they can ignore.

Meanwhile, if you can add high perches around the run or other "foils" where chicks can run behind and hide from any bullies, it will help things a lot.

You do know that chicks need to be taught to go into the coop when night comes? Don't be surprised to see them all bunched up in the run not knowing what to do at bedtime.

 

[Chic Rustler]

The grow out pen and house is actually in the run and they have been there for a couple weeks. Yes they were just trying to get back to the small house tonight and not very happy about it. I had to take them in the coop and set them on a perch. Some got the hang of it but not all. But they are all in the coop.

 

[Teila]

Howdy Chic Rustler

Integrating chicks into the flock was a Topic of the Week and you might find this thread helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock

Good luck!

 

[aart]

Whats the best age to introduce chicks to the flock and how would you go about it?

Also as far as feed goes, i dont think laying pellets are good for them. Could i feed the whole flock 20% grower crumbles for a few weeks with oyster shell available?


The reason i bring this up is i just released 9 eight week old chicks to the flock today because they are getting too big for the grow out pen. Im wondering if i made a mistake

I like to feed a flock raiser/starter/grower/finisher type feed with 20% protein crumble full time to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (a freshly trapped mouse, mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided once in while and during molting and/or if I see any feather eating.

 

[Mrs. K]

I used lattice panels, which my chicks could run through like water, but the bigger birds could not follow them. It was a painless integration. The chicks stayed in the safe zone for a day or so, then went through, staying close to it, and just got braver and braver.

However, my flocks have often had chicks with a broody hen, this the first time I raised chicks without a broody hen in years.

Mrs K