Introducing new chicks to the flock

[HeatherM1375]

Hello,
I have a small flock of pullets (not laying yet) who are about 3 months old. There are 3 of them. I have 6 new chicks that I purchased in May, after the older ones had gone out into the coop. I have now put the 6 younger ones outside in the coop with the older ones. The older ones are picking on the younger ones, naturally, and I'm just worried that someone will get seriously hurt. Is there a certain way that I should be integrating the little ones in with the older ones?

Thanks!!

Heather

 

[chicken-whisperer]

Heather
It seems if they get acquainted while free ranging it helps. If this is not possible then a fence in the coop allows them to adjust to each other. Some bullies will not quit until the newbies are bigger or tougher

 

[jjakaus]

I don't know how big your coop is, but mine is about 7 x 7. I had a similar situation and it was getting hot and I didn't want to set up a brooder. I blocked off a corner with my unused nest boxes for the smaller chicks. They shared a waterer, but I gave them their own food. technically they could get out and the older chickens could get in, but nobody really did. They also learned to wait until the older ones went out in the morning to move around too much. The older ones will occasionally chase the younger, but leave them alone for the most part. It seems to be working really well. As they got a little older, I moved the nest box back. They still have places to hide if needed, but will come out.