introducing new chickens to flock

[nhorrin]

I have five one year old hens. I also have fifteen new chicks coming the end of April. I would like some advise as to when and how to best introduce the new chicks to the flock. I have one coop at this point that is 8'x8' with a 7'x12' covered run. Also connected to the run is a 20'x30' fenced area where the birds go in the summer months. The chicks are straight run and I plan to keep all of the pullets and one cockerel. That means I will probably be adding seven or eight new birds to the flock. Any information and advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

What works best for me is having the coop divided in half ( or having a seperate coop that shares a fenceline) and raising the young ones so they can see and socialize with the adults. By the time you are ready to introduce them, you can just start letting them out during the day together and they will go back to their respective sides/coops at night. Eventually the young ones will gradually start roosting with the rest of the flock, or you can just take out the divider once they are acclimated to each other.