I found some similar posts, but nothing just like this - I apologize if it's a repeat.
I have been raising chickens for over a decade and feel pretty good about this plan, but I wanted to get some feedback.
We are down to two adult hens in our flock from an original five, largely due to old age (they are eight). None of my original alpha hens remain - one of the remaining hens was always at the bottom of the pecking order, and the other was my "rogue" (she operated outside of the pecking order and likes to wander alone). Both are docile, and the "rogue" likes human interactions. We've done one integration before of 2 new chicks to 5, and it went well.
I built a new coop (the old coop is also 8 years old and in need of repair). It's large and has 60 sq ft of run and 20 sq ft of enclosed coop space with multiple roosts and points of entry.
The 7-week-old chicks have been in the new coop/run for about 4 days, and I've been forcing interactions with the old hens using treats, etc. (interacting through the fencing). No issues. The temp is supposed to drop into the low 40s to high 30s this week for 3 straight days, and I'm a little worried about the 7-week-old chicks getting cold (this was not in the forecast when I moved them out of the brooder - which they outgrew). They are feathered out but two have a few wisps of baby fluff around their head (not much at all).
So here is the proposal - what are your thoughts?
- The old chicks will be going into the new coop, leaving their years-old coop (limiting territorial issues)
- I will have two sets of water/feeders that each group is used to (no resource shortage)
- There will be "obstacles" in the run where the smaller chickens could hide/shelter
- The new chicks outnumber the old ones
- They have been aware of each other for the past week or so, and I have never seen these older girls aggressive in 8 years.
I have been raising chickens for over a decade and feel pretty good about this plan, but I wanted to get some feedback.
We are down to two adult hens in our flock from an original five, largely due to old age (they are eight). None of my original alpha hens remain - one of the remaining hens was always at the bottom of the pecking order, and the other was my "rogue" (she operated outside of the pecking order and likes to wander alone). Both are docile, and the "rogue" likes human interactions. We've done one integration before of 2 new chicks to 5, and it went well.
I built a new coop (the old coop is also 8 years old and in need of repair). It's large and has 60 sq ft of run and 20 sq ft of enclosed coop space with multiple roosts and points of entry.
The 7-week-old chicks have been in the new coop/run for about 4 days, and I've been forcing interactions with the old hens using treats, etc. (interacting through the fencing). No issues. The temp is supposed to drop into the low 40s to high 30s this week for 3 straight days, and I'm a little worried about the 7-week-old chicks getting cold (this was not in the forecast when I moved them out of the brooder - which they outgrew). They are feathered out but two have a few wisps of baby fluff around their head (not much at all).
So here is the proposal - what are your thoughts?
- The old chicks will be going into the new coop, leaving their years-old coop (limiting territorial issues)
- I will have two sets of water/feeders that each group is used to (no resource shortage)
- There will be "obstacles" in the run where the smaller chickens could hide/shelter
- The new chicks outnumber the old ones
- They have been aware of each other for the past week or so, and I have never seen these older girls aggressive in 8 years.
