Introducing Hen To Baby Chicks

[HannahL]

Hi, all. Today is a very sad day. One of my favorite hens unfortunately passed away on the way to the vets office today. She ate something toxic. She was happy and loved during and after her life. But now I have a new issue. I only had two hens, Joya (the hen who died) and Paisley. Paisley was already an orphan once and Joya took her in. Now Paisley is alone again and she is taking it hard (won’t stop calling for her sister). When I am with her she is okay. But she can’t be left alone or else she gets upset. Thankfully, I just got four new chicks (Poppy, Phoebe, Tilly, and Joey). They are about a week old. I want to introduce Paisley to the chicks so that she can have a friend and won’t be so upset. However, I’m not 100% sure how to go about it since Paisley has the tendency to peck. I don’t want the babies to get hurt. Any ideas on how to introduce them?

 

[Pork Pie]

Here’s some links that may help. The first link may well be worth trying as very young chicks are generally tolerated by adults (space, feed stations among other factors being sufficient)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224

 

[IamRainey]

Is Paisley an Orpington? They are supposed to be good broody hens so she might take to the chicks right away. Can you make an introduction in a controlled situation where you can remove her if you don't think the chicks are safe?

I've got 4 week old chicks I'm going to try to integrate with 3 older girls this weekend. I've just got to figure out how to make the wire dog kennel they're presently in in the coop accessible to them but not the bigger girls so they have a safe space if they need it when I move it down into the run.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I would make her broody by putting many eggs in the nesting box until she is broody. This worked with my hen

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

I've got 4 week old chicks I'm going to try to integrate with 3 older girls this weekend. I've just got to figure out how to make the wire dog kennel they're presently in in the coop accessible to them but not the bigger girls so they have a safe space if they need it when I move it down into the run.

I used a wire crate as well. Without the tray in the bottom. The space between wires is much bigger in the bottom, so I turned it over so the bottom is now the front. Then I attached bird netting to cover all but the bottom row of open spaces. The chicks can come and go but the bigger ones can't get in. I let them roam the run for a while before letting the others back in. this has worked really well.

 

[PetesChicks]

Sorry for your loss!

You can’t make a hen go broody on demand, and even if you could it can take weeks of being broody before a hen will accept chicks because the hormones change while she is sitting on eggs.

The best bet is to have a safe area for the chicks, with food, water, and a heat source for them (look up Mama Heating Pad, it works great and is a lot safer than a heat lamp) in the coop with Paisley. I’d keep the chicks in that for about a week or so, where Paisley can see them to get used to them.

Then open it up so the chicks can get to the coop. Have “little doors” that the chicks can go through to get to the rest of the coop, but that Paisley can’t fit through. That way, the chicks can escape her when they feel threatened.

Hopefully within a couple weeks, they will be integrated. Maybe sooner if Paisley is that lonely and really appreciates the company. It might take longer, though. But it is about the easiest and stress free integration method I have seen. And the younger the chicks the easier it is to start.

Good luck!

 

[HannahL]

Thanks so much everyone! Paisley is a Buff Brahma. I tenetively introduced them already. I brought them into the yard and let everyone roam around. Paisley took almost zero interest in them! The chicks were far more interested in her however. She didn’t seem too apt to peck them and was fairly patient. One of them even jumped on her back! Whenever she seemed like she was getting frustrated I removed the chicks. But I feel like eventually, Paisley will warm up to them more

 

[PetesChicks]

Then I’d start right away with the “little door” plan, just to give them a space to go if they need it. What are you doing for heat, and what are the temperatures in your area?

 

[HannahL]

Then I’d start right away with the “little door” plan, just to give them a space to go if they need it. What are you doing for heat, and what are the temperatures in your area?

I’m currently using a heat lamp for the chicks. It’s around 70ish around here currently but it can easily get up to the 90s

 

[PetesChicks]

I’m currently using a heat lamp for the chicks. It’s around 70ish around here currently but it can easily get up to the 90s

Look into the Mama Heating Pad, it’s a lot better than the heat lamp. I’m on my phone and can’t post a link, but @Blooie should be able to help you there. It’s a heating pad that they can go under when they need the warmth. And it sounds like you will have a successful quick integration. Congratulations!