Introducing new chicks to current flock

[Chickymama0505]

Hey all,
I will be putting my new girls out with my current rock in 6 weeks. I read that you have to keep them separate and do the “see but don’t touch” habiting for a while. However, my question is, what do I do about where the new girls will sleep at night?. Should I get them their own coop?, bring them in at night?. I have 3 girls outside already and would be introducing 2 more. Any tips anyone can give me would be great! Thanks!!!

 

[HenHouse4Life]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old will both groups be in six weeks? What are your facilities like, size and configuration of your coop and your run? Where will you put the chicks during the day? Where are you so we have a clue to what your weather will probably be like? How do you manage your current flock, keep them confined all the time or allow them to free range?

We are all unique in many ways. There is almost never a generic answer for anything to do with chickens, the best way to do things will depend on what makes you unique. The more you can tell us (photos can help) the more specific we can be with an answer that actually meets your circumstances. But the generic answer is that they will probably initially sleep where they spend the day.

 

[Chickymama0505]

Thanks for your input. In 6 weeks the babies will be 8 weeks old and the current outside girls are going to be 15 months old. I live in Maryland. And the girls outside are free range all the time (unless it’s snowing and they don’t like their feet cold and wet so then they want to stay in their coop/run). We have about 3/4 of an acre, and the coop is big enough for 6 chickens. When the babies are old enough for weather and being outside I will have a total of 5 outside. My husband plans on building a bigger run in the spring for the next winter for when the snow comes.

 

[Ridgerunner]

In your favor in early April in Maryland your chickens should be able to spend all day outside if they want to. It might be muddy but it should be warm enough. All that outside space helps too. The only thing I see that concerns me is when you say the coop is big enough for 6. That doesn't say how big it is or how it is laid out, quality of the space is as important as square feet. While you are integrating you need more room than after they have learned to live together.

You have the potential for an easy integration. Good luck!

 

[aart]

The only thing I see that concerns me is when you say the coop is big enough for 6. That doesn't say how big it is or how it is laid out, quality of the space is as important as square feet. While you are integrating you need more room than after they have learned to live together.

Ditto All Dat^^^

Dimensions and pics would surely help garner suggestions.

Integrating younger is easier, IMO.
Here's some techniques to think about.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/