introducing flock

[jadude]

when should you introduce chicks to the flockl

 

[Chirpy]

The best way is to wait until they are the same size as the adults. Then, put them in the coop at night when everyone's sleeping. Keep an eye on them to make sure nobody is getting seriously pecked on.

Another option is to put the chicks out in the coop/run area but have a fence of some sort between them and the adults. Let them stay by each other for a week or two (longer is usually better) so they can see and hear each other. Then, let the chicks with the adults during the day in the run or free ranging for another weekish. But keep them separate at night still. Then take the fence down and usually everybody is fine together.

 

[Momma_Cluck]

We start our chicks in a large box (topped with a baby gate or screen) indoors for 3-4 weeks-- then the box and a Dog Cage get put together IN the coop-- they get to interact with the big chickens without getting pecked.....

when I see that the other chickens are laying near it without the Roo's pecking at the babies (a week or two) then I take away the box and allow them to go in and out of the cage into the coop....

so far it has worked well-- we just got a new batch of day-olds-- and will do the same with them!

Good Luck!