Introducing chicks to the flock

[ShaaronC]

I have found a lot of info about introducing chicks to an exsiting flock but only if the chicks were bought or hatched from an incubator. I have 3 two year old hens. One became broody but we don't have a rooster so we bought some fertile eggs from our pet supply store and let her sit on them. All four hatched and they are now a little over 1 mo. old. We have mama and babies separated from the other two hens by wire fencing so they can still see other but I am not sure when I can open the fencing so they can all be together. I am hoping since the other hens have been able to see the chicks all this time that they will be more accepting when the time comes. Hope someone can tell me.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, ShaaronC, and

! I think you are doing it right - the new birds are kept separate from the older birds but they can still see and get used to each other. One thing that is recommended is the day before you attempt to integrate them, gather up the young ones at dark and put them to bed in the older bird's coop. This allows them more opportunity to get used to each other and, since it's dark, there won't be any aggression. The next morning when you let them all out, do it at daybreak and monitor. Some of the older hens will likely peck at a young bird when it gets too close but everyone should be okay. That is just pecking order behavior. If one is singled out, remove her to a separate enclosure and try in again in a few days. I wish you the best!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

I would probably recommend allowing the birds to mingle together during the day, the chicks with their mom so that she can protect them as nescessary (and you standing by in case of trouble). I find it often helps to throw in some treats such as melon, heads of lettuce or other stuff that takes some time to eat - a good distraction.

 

[ShaaronC]

I will do that thank you. The mother is our dominant hen so I am sure she will try to protect them but at what age should I introduce them into the full run? Our set up is rather different as we first built a mobile coop and run but then we decided that wasn't enough room so we built a large enclosure with the mobile coop and run inside. We took some of the wire off the intital run area so they could easily go in to where the roost is located. Also our hens never go in their coop even when it snows/rains so I would think putting mama and the kids in the coop at night that first time would be good.
Thank you for your help.

 

[ShaaronC]

Thank you. I will remember to throw in some treats like you said. Might help make them forget that there are new ones amoung them.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Greetings from Kentucky! Glad you joined us.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard.

 

[Attila the Hen]

I learned something tonight. I put a real treat, scrambled eggs, in the coop where the new babies are. The older hens got really upset that they were getting treats in their coop and became more aggressive. In fact one older hen got a mouthful of feathers out.I stand guard and don't interfere unless they are about to get cornered. I wont be putting the best treats in the coop again like I did. A mistake.