Is it too soon to introduce my chicks into the flock?

[Mamas_Looney_Farm]

I have 4 chicks about 4 months old each, they were a broody hatch, and thanks to this website I found out that (hopefully) they are all pullets. I just want to know if it would be too early to let them out . They are in a fenced in area in a chain link dog kennel, and inside the area are goats, 1 rooster and 8 mature hens,2 adult guineas, and a Tom and hen turkeys.

 

[azygous]

Four months? I thought your were going to say four weeks. You no longer have chicks. These youngsters are full size with just some filling out left to do.

As long as they've had a chance to observe the adult chickens for a period of time, learning individual temperaments, they are more than ready to join the flock.

Some minor concessions such as placing a feeding station up high where they can eat all they need in peace, there should be no more issues than a bit of hazing until the youngsters fall into line according to the flock rules.

 

[Mamas_Looney_Farm]

Thanks . They just look so tiny compared to the others . I was worried that the guineas might bully them. The guineas bully the youngest hens right now and peck at them. The roo and guineas have made like a little gang lol where they guineas stick around the rooster and chase off bothersome hens and in return the rooster lets them eat first. One of the “chicks” is only about 3 months old. Should he/she go out as well?

 

[aart]

Well, not quite full grown, but I thought you were gonna say 4 weeks too.

One of the “chicks” is only about 3 months old. Should he/she go out as well?

If she's now with the 4mo, yes keep them together.

Integration can be tricky, sometimes it's easy peasy, other times disastrous.
The guinea's and 'rooster' already causing troubles could have a huge affect on adding more birds

More info might help here:
-your flock size(numbers, ages, genders),
-your coop(size in feet by feet with pics).
Location too....

So, and....Welcome to BYC! @Mamas_Looney_Farm
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Jac Jac]

I have 4 chicks about 4 months old each, they were a broody hatch, and thanks to this website I found out that (hopefully) they are all pullets. I just want to know if it would be too early to let them out . They are in a fenced in area in a chain link dog kennel, and inside the area are goats, 1 rooster and 8 mature hens,2 adult guineas, and a Tom and hen turkeys.

Introduce them to the flock already. Just be aware, most likely, the pecking order scenario will be played out shortly thereafter by the "established gang". I wish you all the best.

 

[Mamas_Looney_Farm]

&aart this is their coop and I am located in south Texas. There are 13hens &1rooster,2guineas and2turkeys.6hens and the rooster are 2 years old,the rest are 1year old.guineas are 8months old. Idk the exact size of the coops in feet but on the “chicks” coop I would guesstimate is 10feet long and 4wide. Idk where to even start with the big ont though. I can get measurements when I get home.

 

[aart]

Do they have their own run?
Maybe just start free ranging them late in the day...maybe even keep your other birds confined that day so the youngers can get the lay of the land without being chased off.
Not sure tho, all my birds are confined so I do integration differently.
Not sure how you handle feed and water but multiple feed and water stations are good.

Maybe some of this will give you some ideas,
ignore what doesn't apply to your situation:
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Mamas_Looney_Farm]

None of my chickens have a run they are in a fenced area that the goats get let out into daily . There is a baby pool and a 100gallon water tank along with 2 actual chicken waterers that are always filed inside the other coop that’s always open. In the large coop I have 4 different feeding stations along with the 2 waters.

 

[Mamas_Looney_Farm]

Blue is waterers,red is feeders,green is a pallet,laying bins and a roost

 

[Mamas_Looney_Farm]

That’s the big coop I want to eventually keep them in. I need to free up the one coop for my male turkey bc he’s getting aggressive towards the other smaller birds and the goats.