Introducing chicks to the older flock

[agemme12]

So my babies are about 7 weeks now and outside isolated in a separate coop. I have 7 adult hens that I have had for about 3 years now in the larger attached coop. They can all see each other but at what age is it best to let them all in together. I know the adults are getting restless but i think its mostly because they want to go crazy on the babies. I was thinking I wouldnt mix them until about June when they are about 14 or 15 weeks. Just wanted to hear from others when they would mix their chicks with the adults?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mine would've already joined the flock. You're kind of at the point where they're almost too big to early integrate, but too small to really stand up to the adults. What does your coop and run look like? Photos would be ideal as would measurements.

 

[agemme12]

Mine would've already joined the flock. You're kind of at the point where they're almost too big to early integrate, but too small to really stand up to the adults. What does your coop and run look like? Photos would be ideal as would measurements.

This is our coop. The adult hens are in that big run with the red house on the right. The babies are in the small one on the left. They are separated by a locked screen. My plan was to move the adults into the smaller one because we let them out most days anyway, and let the babies into the bigger run for the time being. My husband is also planning to add on moving into the woods part.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not sure how long the littles and bigs have been able to see each other, but I'd give that a good week or so until (hopefully) the adults aren't so interested in the littles. At that point you could try letting the little ones into the run while the adults are free ranging, then let the adults back in towards the end of the day (with supervision) and see what happens. Looks like you have some clutter in the run which is good, but it's not a lot of space overall, so I do expect some chasing/pecking, but as long as it's not too bad I'd consider that a success.

Might need to repeat that for a few days or a week before attempting to let the chicks stay in the coop - do you happen to know the measurements for the coop, and how much roost space you have?

 

[agemme12]

I don't have the measurements off the top of my head. MY husband might but hes not here at the moment. They have a ton of roosts inside the big part house and inside the run as well. As of right now they have only seen each other for about a week almost 2 weeks this coming sunday.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Reason I ask about roost space is because roost squabbles can potentially be rather nasty when adding new birds to a coop. I assume you have all your birds sleep inside the coop, or do you leave it open and let them sleep wherever?

I suppose another option is just letting the chicks coop up inside the smaller coop if you're planning on keeping that there.

 

[agemme12]

We let them roost in their house or out in the run. Weve secured it down under the ground and do weekly checks for holes.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok, that should reduce fighting over roosting space at least.