Leaving vents open at night

[Jkchicks19]

Most of the time the smaller the chick the flock see less of a threat. I'm not saying that right but you get the idea. Mama hens introduce their chicks to the flock at 2 days old. by 3 weeks to a month old these chicks are ignored by Mama to make their own way and the other chickens are used to them and see them as no threat or competition because they are small. They get a hard peck once in awhile, but usually just fit into the pecking order of the flock just fine. The bigger the chicken the harder it is to integrate. My opinion of course. It has worked for me.

View attachment 1857947

Thanks for the advice...I’ll start to introduce immediately. It makes very good sense!

 

[chookchick]

You can set up some "safe zones" with hog wire if you are concerned. IIRC a 6 week old should be able to get through that, but the older ones wouldn't. Put food and water for the smaller ones in the safe zones. But I think they will be fine after the initial kerfuffle.

 

[Jkchicks19]

You can set up some "safe zones" with hog wire if you are concerned. IIRC a 6 week old should be able to get through that, but the older ones wouldn't. Put food and water for the smaller ones in the safe zones. But I think they will be fine after the initial kerfuffle.

Thanks....I’ll try that! The sooner the brooder is off my dining room table..the better!!!

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

To get back to the Humidity issue for a moment, Humidity days and cool damp nights have little effect on the birds other than trouble cooling off on really Hot, really Humidity days like in Southern Coastal States. Where high Humidity is DISASTROUS in the Coop is during the Winter, when temps drop below 30°F. High Humidity and Cold equals Frost and Frostbite on Combs, Waddles and Feet. Frozen appendages Die. Small areas of necrotic tissue can lead to infection in attached healthy tissue. Infection can spread and lead to Sepsis and death.
During Cold weather, removing moister from respiration, waste matter and Damp bedding is important. Birds generate heat, heat rises. Good ventilation at or near the Peak or high point of the coop is much more important than that on the sides. Side vents can merely be Cracked with the highest vents open to allow Moisture to escape. Except in extremely cold climates, temps consistently well below Zero, No heat source in the coop is needed. The Down and Feathers on the birds will provide more than enough insulation to maintain body temp. So, as long as there are No Drafts at the Floor and Roost levels, vents can be open to keep Cool in the Summer and Dry in the Winter...JJ

 

[Thesweetbirdsflock]

The sooner you introduce them the better. The younger they are the better...usually.

When you introduce new chicks, they need to be the same size as the others they are being introduced to.

 

[Chickylove12]

I would add 1/4 inch hardware cloth over the screens in those openings. The squares are too big and predators can squeeze in. Mink..weasel..raccoon hands..

 

[aart]

When you introduce new chicks, they need to be the same size as the others they are being introduced to.

Not true....old technique.
Many have found it's actually easier to introduce them younger.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/