Introducing new chicks to flock

[alyxl02]

Hi All,
I have chicks hatching in 7 days and I want to introduce to my flock of 8 chickens including their mother. I'm worried that some of my chickens might not like them and pick on them.

When they hatch I will keep them in a large plastic box with their mother for the first few days.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I should introduce to the rest of my chickens after the first few days?



Thanks,
alyxl02

 

[lismarc]

I usually block of a part of their run with chicken wire to keep the little ones in. That way the older ones can get acquainted with the little guys without hurting them. After a few days, I slowly let them run together for short periods.... adding more and more time each visit. Works pretty good so far.

Hope that helps.

 

[Den in Penn]

If the mother is brooding them I usually just let her and the chicks mingle with the flock from the time they hatch. Mother hens have been introducing their chicks to the flock successfully since there were chickens. They, if they are good mothers, are very protective of her chicks and the chicks don't get very far from mom the first week. It does help to have an area where the chicks can hide from the rest of the flock. I currently have a broody in a tractor that I intend to move back into the coop before the eggs hatch.