Laying hens and chicks

[Newchickmomma18]

Hi everyone .
I have 7 laying hens(5 rhode island reds and 2 black astrolops)that are eating dumor layer crumbles but i just order 6 new chicks ( 3 easter eggers and 3 buff orpingtons) to add to my flock. When i do add them when they are of age .Should i stop feeding the laying feed and go back to starter/grower feed? Im a bit confused on how i should feed all of them when they are all in same coop. Also what will be a good age to add the new chicks in with my hens? Thank you in advance .

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

You could feed all flock with oyster shell on the side.

 

[Newchickmomma18]

The chicks wouldnt try eating the oyster shells?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

The chicks wouldnt try eating the oyster shells?

Chickens will eat what they need. Having oyster shell free choice is the norm.

 

[Newchickmomma18]

Okay great to know. thank you for help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Put the oyster shells up higher, if possible (mine hang so I just hung them higher). Otherwise they're probably only trying them out of curiosity.

Good age to put them in together depends on your set up and the space you have to work with. I brooded my last batch of chicks in the run, they had access to the run with the hens by 3 weeks and moved into the coop at 5 1/2. Here's my integration notes.

 

[blackdog043]

When you finish up your layer feed, start your big girls on starter grower and put oyster shell in a separate container for them. This way when you integrate the chicks, starter grower will already be in use.

I brood my chicks in the coop and integrated at 4 weeks the last time. I'm gonna try 3 weeks this time. Brooding in the coop can make integration easier, because the big girls can see them, but don't interact with them until you start integration. I highly recommend coop brooding, if you have the room. Here's a link for integrating at 4 weeks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/integrating-chicks-into-flock-at-4-weeks-old.1159151/

 

[Newchickmomma18]

Thanks this is very helpful. This is my first time adding to flock. My first flock was bought together and raised together but had to sell them since we were moving far. So thank you all for the help.